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

Skilled trades

Oregon employs 460 millwrights, with a statewide median of $70,700 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Oregon (May 2025)

Oregon median pay: $70,700 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,470
Experienced (75th percentile): $88,660
Top earners (90th percentile): $110,450
Employed in Oregon: 460
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Portland: $76,200 (240 employed)
Albany: $63,060 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Oregon

Prices in Oregon run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $70,700 median is worth closer to $68,375 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)

Oregon is projected to grow millwrights employment +3.4%, 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.

Oregon License and Certification Requirements

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

Oregon 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 Oregon state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Oregon

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Oregon's manufacturing, semiconductor, and pulp/paper sectors hire; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oregon include:

Blue Mountain Community College — Certificate / Associate
Clackamas Community College — Certificate / Associate
Lane Community College — Certificate / Associate
Linn-Benton Community College — 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 Oregon?

The median wage for millwrights in Oregon is $70,700 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,470, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $110,450. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Oregon?

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

Which Oregon metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Oregon metro areas, Portland leads at $76,200, followed by Albany ($63,060). 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 Oregon?

Real Oregon options include Blue Mountain Community College, Clackamas Community College, Lane Community College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Oregon?

Oregon projects millwrights employment to change +3.4% 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), Oregon statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Oregon 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 Oregon wages · Oregon 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.