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

Skilled trades

Nebraska employs 590 millwrights, with a statewide median of $60,320 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nebraska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Nebraska (May 2025)

Nebraska median pay: $60,320 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,480
Experienced (75th percentile): $67,330
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,510
Employed in Nebraska: 590
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Omaha: $62,960 (230 employed)
Sioux City: $62,450 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nebraska

Prices in Nebraska run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,320 median stretches to roughly $66,948 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Nebraska (2024–2034)

Nebraska is projected to grow millwrights employment +2.2%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Nebraska License and Certification Requirements

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

Nebraska 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 Nebraska state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Nebraska

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Nebraska's ag-processing, ethanol, and manufacturing base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nebraska include:

Central Community College — Certificate / Associate
Metropolitan Community College Area — Certificate / Associate
Mid-Plains Community College — Associate
Southeast Community College Area — 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 Nebraska?

The median wage for millwrights in Nebraska is $60,320 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,480, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Nebraska?

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

Which Nebraska metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Nebraska metro areas, Omaha leads at $62,960, followed by Sioux City ($62,450). 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 Nebraska?

Real Nebraska options include Central Community College, Metropolitan Community College Area, Mid-Plains Community College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Nebraska?

Nebraska projects millwrights employment to change +2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Nebraska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Nebraska 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 Nebraska wages · Nebraska 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.