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

Skilled trades

Louisiana employs 1,080 millwrights, with a statewide median of $66,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $66,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,300
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $82,450
Employed in Louisiana: 1,080
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Baton Rouge: $76,610 (290 employed)
Shreveport: $69,720 (90 employed)
New Orleans: $63,730 (140 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,080 median stretches to roughly $74,921 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow millwrights employment +3.9%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

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

Louisiana 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 Louisiana state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Louisiana

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Louisiana's petrochemical and industrial base hires heavily; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate
Delgado Community College — Certificate
Fletcher Technical Community College — 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 Louisiana?

The median wage for millwrights in Louisiana is $66,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,300, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $82,450. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Louisiana?

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

Which Louisiana metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $76,610, followed by Shreveport ($69,720), New Orleans ($63,730). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Delgado Community College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Louisiana?

Louisiana projects millwrights employment to change +3.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Louisiana 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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.