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

Skilled trades

Wisconsin employs 1,220 millwrights, with a statewide median of $82,630 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $82,630 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $57,530
Experienced (75th percentile): $90,730
Top earners (90th percentile): $93,280
Employed in Wisconsin: 1,220
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

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

Madison: $90,750 (40 employed)
Green Bay: $84,880 (200 employed)
Milwaukee: $84,850 (210 employed)
Appleton: $84,740 (100 employed)
Minneapolis: $79,340 (280 employed)
Duluth: $77,890 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,630 median stretches to roughly $87,811 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to grow millwrights employment +2.1%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements

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

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Wisconsin

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Wisconsin's heavy manufacturing, paper, and food-processing base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:

Blackhawk Technical College — Certificate
Chippewa Valley Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Fox Valley Technical College — Certificate
Gateway Technical 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 Wisconsin?

The median wage for millwrights in Wisconsin is $82,630 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $57,530, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $93,280. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Wisconsin?

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

Which Wisconsin metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Madison leads at $90,750, followed by Green Bay ($84,880), Milwaukee ($84,850). 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 Wisconsin?

Real Wisconsin options include Blackhawk Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects millwrights employment to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.