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

Skilled trades

Mississippi employs 1,280 millwrights, with a statewide median of $58,280 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $58,280 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $41,250
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $71,560
Employed in Mississippi: 1,280
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Memphis: $58,930 (190 employed)
Gulfport: $53,330 (140 employed)
Jackson: $48,470 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,280 median stretches to roughly $66,989 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow millwrights employment +2.7%, 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.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

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

Mississippi 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 Mississippi state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Mississippi

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Mississippi's shipbuilding, manufacturing, and paper base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Certificate / Associate
East Mississippi Community College — Certificate / Associate
Hinds Community 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 Mississippi?

The median wage for millwrights in Mississippi is $58,280 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $71,560. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Mississippi?

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

Which Mississippi metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $58,930, followed by Gulfport ($53,330), Jackson ($48,470). 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 Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Mississippi Community College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects millwrights employment to change +2.7% 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Mississippi 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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.