Millwright salary in California
Millwrights in California earn a median of $77,950 a year ($37.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,890 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $65,700. California ranks 9th of 48 states for millwrights pay. There are 0.12 millwrights per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $84,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for millwrights in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $61,310 | $29.47 |
| Median | $77,950 | $37.48 |
| 75th percentile | $109,190 | $52.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,890 | $61.48 |
| Average (mean) | $84,220 | $40.49 |
Half of millwrights earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,495.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,247.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,998.08 |
| Weekly | $1,499.04 |
| Hourly | $37.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Millwright salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $113,490 | 320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $99,250 | 710 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $82,310 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $79,840 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $69,880 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $65,200 | 30 |
| Redding, CA | $59,580 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,810 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for millwrights
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $107,540 |
| New Mexico | $90,230 |
| Michigan | $89,190 |
| Wisconsin | $82,630 |
| Colorado | $81,440 |
| Kansas | $79,690 |
| New York | $79,560 |
| Minnesota | $78,570 |
| California | $77,950 |
| Indiana | $77,140 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $72,560 | $34.88 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $129,040 | $62.04 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $97,980 | $47.11 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Mechanical Door Repairer | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Rigger | $85,730 | $41.22 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9044. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a millwright make in California?
The median salary for millwrights in California is $77,950 a year, or $37.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid millwrights make in California?
The top 10% of millwrights in California earn at least $127,890 a year. The top 25% earn $109,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for millwrights in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,340 a year, and a quarter of millwrights earn $61,310 or less.
How many millwrights work in California?
About 2,230 millwrights are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.