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

Skilled trades

Minnesota employs 480 millwrights, with a statewide median of $78,570 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $78,570 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $58,500
Experienced (75th percentile): $86,020
Top earners (90th percentile): $92,640
Employed in Minnesota: 480
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Minneapolis: $79,340 (280 employed)
Duluth: $77,890 (40 employed)
Fargo: $64,530 (40 employed)
Sioux Falls: $64,090 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,570 median stretches to roughly $79,686 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow millwrights employment +3.5%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

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

Minnesota 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 Minnesota state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Minnesota

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Manufacturing, power, and industrial plants hire; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

Anoka Technical College — Certificate
Dakota County Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Hennepin Technical College — Certificate
Minnesota North 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 Minnesota?

The median wage for millwrights in Minnesota is $78,570 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,500, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,640. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Minnesota?

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

Which Minnesota metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $79,340, followed by Duluth ($77,890), Fargo ($64,530). 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 Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Anoka Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects millwrights employment to change +3.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Minnesota 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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.