Millwright
Quick Facts
Median Salary$59,054
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+5.35%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Millwright installs and assembles large industrial machines, such as the equipment in manufacturing facilities. Disassembles and moves machinery between factory sites, and makes repairs. May work at power plants and construction sites.
Core Tasks:
- Replace defective parts of machine, or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.
- Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
- Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
- Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.
- Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.
- Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
- Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
- Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.
- Dismantle machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.
- Bolt parts, such as side and deck plates, jaw plates, and journals, to basic assembly unit.
- Lay out mounting holes, using measuring instruments, and drill holes with power drill.
- Attach moving parts and subassemblies to basic assembly unit, using hand tools and power tools.
- Weld, repair, and fabricate equipment or machinery.
- Shrink-fit bushings, sleeves, rings, liners, gears, and wheels to specified items, using portable gas heating equipment.
- Troubleshoot equipment, electrical components, hydraulics, or other mechanical systems.
- Dismantle machinery and equipment for shipment to installation site, performing installation and maintenance work as part of team.
- Connect power unit to machines or steam piping to equipment, and test unit to evaluate its mechanical operation.
- Position steel beams to support bedplates of machines and equipment, using blueprints and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.
- Fabricate and dismantle parts, equipment, and machines, using a cutting torch or other cutting equipment.
- Construct foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials such as wood, cement, and steel.
- Operate engine lathe to grind, file, and turn machine parts to dimensional specifications.
What to expect as a Millwright
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
40% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Millwright related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
2833 openings for Millwrights
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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