Millwright Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Millwrights in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$77,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $65,700
State Rank
#9 of 48
2,230 employed here

How much does a Millwright make in California?

A Millwright working in California earns a median salary of $77,950 per year, or about $37.48 per hour. That is 19% above the national median of $65,700 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,340 while the top 10% make $127,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,310 and $109,190 a year.

Millwright salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,340$23.72
25th percentile (early career)$61,310$29.48
50th percentile (median)$77,950$37.48
75th percentile (experienced)$109,190$52.50
90th percentile (top earners)$127,890$61.49

How California compares

California ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories for Millwright pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Jersey$107,540
2New Mexico$90,230
3Michigan$89,190
4Wisconsin$82,630
5Colorado$81,440

Working as a Millwright in California

Nationally, about 40,000 people work as Millwrights in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($77,950) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Millwright make in California?
The median Millwright salary in California is $77,950 per year, or about $37.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,340 at the entry level to $127,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Millwrights about 19% more than the national median of $65,700. California ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Millwrights?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,950 a year. About 2,230 Millwrights are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Millwright salary report

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.