Millwrights Salary
The median pay for a millwrights in Michigan is $89,190/year ($42.88/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $94,994 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,272/month, or 22.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Michigan. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Michigan?
About millwrights
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What this looks like in Michigan
Michigan sits well above the national pay line for millwrights, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $66K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,272/month, 22.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Michigan offers a genuinely strong financial position for millwrightss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Michigan
Entry-level millwrights (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Millwrights salary by metro in Michigan
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $92K | +3% | 1,490 |
| Saginaw | $91K | +2% | 100 |
| Ann Arbor | $90K | +1% | 60 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $85K | -5% | 130 |
| Monroe | $84K | -6% | 60 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $67K | -25% | 320 |
Compare to other states
Track millwrights salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a millwright afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 22.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for millwrights in Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new millwrights typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,521/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is millwright a high-paying job in Michigan?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $89K here vs. $66K nationally.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for millwrights?
Michigan pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do millwrights make in Michigan?
The median is $89,190 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,680, and experienced millwrights can clear $97,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,612/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 22.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a millwrights salary go in Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median millwrights salary is worth about $94,994 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do millwrights get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.