Millwright in New Mexico: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Mexico employs 60 millwrights, with a statewide median of $90,230 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Mexico licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in New Mexico (May 2025)

New Mexico median pay: $90,230 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $82,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $101,650
Top earners (90th percentile): $102,250
Employed in New Mexico: 60
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Mexico

Prices in New Mexico run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $90,230 median stretches to roughly $97,863 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in New Mexico (2024–2034)

New Mexico is projected to grow millwrights employment +1.4%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Mexico License and Certification Requirements

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

New Mexico 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 New Mexico state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in New Mexico

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. New Mexico's mining, oil/gas, and national-lab facilities hire; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Mexico include:

Navajo Technical University — Certificate
San Juan College — Certificate / Associate
Southeast New Mexico 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 New Mexico?

The median wage for millwrights in New Mexico is $90,230 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $82,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,250. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in New Mexico?

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

Where can I train to become a Millwright in New Mexico?

Real New Mexico options include Navajo Technical University, San Juan College, Southeast New Mexico College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in New Mexico?

New Mexico projects millwrights employment to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), New Mexico statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No New Mexico 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 New Mexico wages · New Mexico 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.