Millwright in Idaho: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Idaho employs 410 millwrights, with a statewide median of $64,710 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $64,710 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $57,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,570
Top earners (90th percentile): $77,460
Employed in Idaho: 410
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for millwrights in major Idaho markets:

Coeur d'Alene: $66,460 (70 employed)
Boise City: $64,710 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,710 median stretches to roughly $67,759 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow millwrights employment +8.4%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No Idaho state license — union apprenticeship path.

Idaho does not license millwrights.
Apply to a UBC Millwrights regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No Idaho state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Idaho

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Idaho's food-processing, mining, and manufacturing base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

College of Southern Idaho — Certificate / Associate
College of Western Idaho — Certificate / Associate
Idaho State University — Certificate
Lewis-Clark State College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in Idaho?

The median wage for millwrights in Idaho is $64,710 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $57,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,460. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in Idaho?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No Idaho state license — union apprenticeship path. Idaho does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Idaho?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Which Idaho metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Coeur d'Alene leads at $66,460, followed by Boise City ($64,710). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in Idaho?

Real Idaho options include College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, Idaho State University. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects millwrights employment to change +8.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Idaho state license — union apprenticeship path (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Idaho wages · Idaho licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.