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

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 1,060 millwrights, with a statewide median of $61,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $61,810 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,100
Experienced (75th percentile): $69,490
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,880
Employed in Tennessee: 1,060
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Chattanooga: $62,850 (160 employed)
Knoxville: $61,820 (200 employed)
Nashville: $61,320 (260 employed)
Memphis: $58,930 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,810 median stretches to roughly $67,258 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow millwrights employment +14.3%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

IAMAW or UBC Millwright Journeyman credential (no state license) — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for millwrights.

Tennessee does not require a state license for millwrights. The primary path is an IAMAW or UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters — Millwright Division) Joint Apprenticeship: 4–5 years, approximately 8,000 OJT hours.
Apprenticeship covers precision machinery installation, alignment, rigging, hydraulics, pneumatics, and industrial bearing/coupling/gearbox maintenance. OSHA 30 and rigging certifications are typically included.
Contact the Mid-South Regional Council of Carpenters or IAMAW for Tennessee millwright apprenticeship opportunities. Automotive manufacturing (Nissan Smyrna, GM Spring Hill, Ford BlueOval City), food processing, and paper/chemical plants are major employers.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for millwrights →

Training in Tennessee

Tennessee's large automotive manufacturing base — Nissan in Smyrna, GM in Spring Hill, Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and Ford's massive new BlueOval City EV campus in Stanton — creates sustained millwright demand for new equipment installation, maintenance, and facility expansion work.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
Dyersburg State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Associate
Nashville Auto-Diesel 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 Tennessee?

The median wage for millwrights in Tennessee is $61,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,100, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,880. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

IAMAW or UBC Millwright Journeyman credential (no state license), overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for millwrights. Tennessee does not require a state license for millwrights. The primary path is an IAMAW or UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters — Millwright Division) Joint Apprenticeship: 4–5 years, approximately 8,000 OJT hours.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Tennessee?

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

Which Tennessee metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Chattanooga leads at $62,850, followed by Knoxville ($61,820), Nashville ($61,320). 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 Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga State Community College, Dyersburg State Community College, Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects millwrights employment to change +14.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for millwrights (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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.