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

Skilled trades

Kansas employs 840 millwrights, with a statewide median of $79,690 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $79,690 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,880
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,380
Top earners (90th percentile): $97,340
Employed in Kansas: 840
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Kansas City: $91,380 (640 employed)
Topeka: $91,170 (70 employed)
Wichita: $82,890 (120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,690 median stretches to roughly $88,446 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to shrink millwrights employment -0.2%, about in line with the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

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

Kansas 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 Kansas state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Kansas

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Kansas's aerospace, grain-processing, and manufacturing base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Garden City Community College — Certificate / Associate
Neosho County Community College — Certificate
Washburn Institute of Technology — Certificate
Washburn University — Certificate

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 Kansas?

The median wage for millwrights in Kansas is $79,690 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,880, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,340. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Kansas?

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

Which Kansas metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $91,380, followed by Topeka ($91,170), Wichita ($82,890). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Garden City Community College, Neosho County Community College, Washburn Institute of Technology. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Kansas?

Kansas projects millwrights employment to change -0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 openings a year — a declining field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Kansas 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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.