What is the best city for millwrights?

After cost of living, the Kennewick–Richland, WA area: the median of $107,700 a year buys about what $107,610 would at average U.S. prices.

Which city pays millwrights the most?

Before adjusting for prices, the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA area has the highest median, $113,490. After cost of living it ranks 6th of 111.

What is the best big city for millwrights?

Among the 20 metro areas with the most millwrights, the Kansas City, MO-KS area, 5th overall: its median of $91,380 buys what $98,740 would nationally.

Where does millwright pay go the least far?

Of the 111 metro areas ranked, the Modesto, CA area, where the median of $49,810 buys about what $47,840 would nationally.

Which cities are included?

The 111 metro areas where BLS publishes a median for millwrights and at least 50 of them work. Smaller metros and rural areas are on each state's millwright pay page.

How is cost of living adjusted?

We divide each metro's median by its Regional Price Parity from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), where the U.S. average is 100. A metro with prices 10% above average (110) has its median divided by 1.10.

Best-paying cities for millwrights

Updated September 27, 2026

After adjusting for cost of living, the Kennewick–Richland, WA area is the best-paying metro for millwrights: its median of $107,700 a year buys what $107,610 would nationally, according to May 2025 BLS wages and BEA 2024 price levels. By raw pay, the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA area leads at $113,490, but its prices drop it to 6th of 111. Among the 20 metros with the most millwrights, the Kansas City, MO-KS area ranks highest (5th overall).

Top 50 metro areas, after cost of living

#	Metro area	After cost of living	Median pay	Price level	Jobs
1	Kennewick–RichlandWA · $107,700 median · prices 100.1	$107,610	$107,700	100.1	80
2	TopekaKS · $91,170 median · prices 88.8	$102,650	$91,170	88.8	70
3	SaginawMI · $91,010 median · prices 90.9	$100,130	$91,010	90.9	100
4	Fort WayneIN · $91,410 median · prices 92.6	$98,740	$91,410	92.6	110
5	Kansas CityMO-KS · $91,380 median · prices 92.5	$98,740	$91,380	92.5	640
6	San Francisco–Oakland–FremontCA · $113,490 median · prices 115.6	$98,160	$113,490	115.6	320
7	WichitaKS · $82,890 median · prices 88.9	$93,190	$82,890	88.9	120
8	LimaOH · $82,640 median · prices 89.7	$92,160	$82,640	89.7	90
9	AppletonWI · $84,740 median · prices 92.4	$91,690	$84,740	92.4	100
10	Detroit–Warren–DearbornMI · $91,850 median · prices 100.3	$91,580	$91,850	100.3	1,490
11	Green BayWI · $84,880 median · prices 93.1	$91,180	$84,880	93.1	200
12	ToledoOH · $83,280 median · prices 91.5	$91,060	$83,280	91.5	280
13	WausauWI · $83,480 median · prices 92.7	$90,100	$83,480	92.7	50
14	MonroeMI · $83,970 median · prices 93.5	$89,820	$83,970	93.5	60
15	Ann ArborMI · $90,320 median · prices 100.9	$89,530	$90,320	100.9	60
16	Lansing–East LansingMI · $84,590 median · prices 95.0	$89,050	$84,590	95.0	130
17	Milwaukee–WaukeshaWI · $84,850 median · prices 96.9	$87,530	$84,850	96.9	210
18	Los Angeles–Long Beach–AnaheimCA · $99,250 median · prices 113.6	$87,390	$99,250	113.6	710
19	Buffalo–CheektowagaNY · $82,840 median · prices 95.8	$86,430	$82,840	95.8	290
20	Bowling GreenKY · $77,480 median · prices 90.2	$85,920	$77,480	90.2	50
21	Baton RougeLA · $76,610 median · prices 90.8	$84,390	$76,610	90.8	290
22	AkronOH · $77,570 median · prices 93.4	$83,080	$77,570	93.4	100
23	Indianapolis–Carmel–GreenwoodIN · $79,420 median · prices 95.7	$82,990	$79,420	95.7	390
24	New York–Newark–Jersey CityNY-NJ · $93,070 median · prices 112.6	$82,680	$93,070	112.6	440
25	Shreveport–Bossier CityLA · $69,720 median · prices 84.8	$82,250	$69,720	84.8	90
26	Louisville/Jefferson CountyKY-IN · $76,300 median · prices 93.1	$81,980	$76,300	93.1	490
27	Bakersfield–DelanoCA · $82,310 median · prices 100.9	$81,590	$82,310	100.9	130
28	Oshkosh–NeenahWI · $75,610 median · prices 92.9	$81,360	$75,610	92.9	80
29	Albany–Schenectady–TroyNY · $80,840 median · prices 99.6	$81,190	$80,840	99.6	100
30	ClevelandOH · $74,800 median · prices 93.9	$79,640	$74,800	93.9	290
31	CincinnatiOH-KY-IN · $75,650 median · prices 95.4	$79,320	$75,650	95.4	250
32	Denver–Aurora–CentennialCO · $83,600 median · prices 105.8	$79,030	$83,600	105.8	150
33	Mount Vernon–AnacortesWA · $80,080 median · prices 102.4	$78,170	$80,080	102.4	70
34	Kingsport–BristolTN-VA · $66,560 median · prices 86.4	$77,000	$66,560	86.4	50
35	Longview–KelsoWA · $74,940 median · prices 97.5	$76,830	$74,940	97.5	80
36	Dayton–Kettering–BeavercreekOH · $70,540 median · prices 92.7	$76,100	$70,540	92.7	50
37	SanduskyOH · $67,920 median · prices 89.3	$76,070	$67,920	89.3	50
38	Minneapolis–St. Paul–BloomingtonMN-WI · $79,340 median · prices 104.8	$75,690	$79,340	104.8	280
39	Glens FallsNY · $71,520 median · prices 94.9	$75,390	$71,520	94.9	70
40	Philadelphia–Camden–WilmingtonPA-NJ-DE-MD · $77,120 median · prices 102.6	$75,200	$77,120	102.6	510
41	Sacramento–Roseville–FolsomCA · $79,840 median · prices 106.7	$74,850	$79,840	106.7	100
42	Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las VegasNV · $74,940 median · prices 100.2	$74,780	$74,940	100.2	60
43	Seattle–Tacoma–BellevueWA · $82,470 median · prices 111.1	$74,210	$82,470	111.1	280
44	ColumbusOH · $69,920 median · prices 95.5	$73,240	$69,920	95.5	180
45	Spokane–Spokane ValleyWA · $72,740 median · prices 100.3	$72,490	$72,740	100.3	80
46	Portland–Vancouver–HillsboroOR-WA · $76,200 median · prices 105.4	$72,280	$76,200	105.4	240
47	RockfordIL · $66,560 median · prices 92.2	$72,230	$66,560	92.2	60
48	Chicago–Naperville–ElginIL-IN · $74,730 median · prices 103.6	$72,140	$74,730	103.6	1,490
49	FlorenceSC · $62,140 median · prices 86.8	$71,610	$62,140	86.8	60
50	Canton–MassillonOH · $63,920 median · prices 89.4	$71,490	$63,920	89.4	60

See all 111 metro areas

#	Metro area	After cost of living	Median pay	Price level	Jobs
51	Winston–SalemNC · $65,790 median · prices 92.0	$71,480	$65,790	92.0	60
52	DecaturIL · $63,190 median · prices 88.4	$71,460	$63,190	88.4	180
53	Lexington–FayetteKY · $66,240 median · prices 92.9	$71,310	$66,240	92.9	140
54	Beaumont–Port ArthurTX · $64,070 median · prices 90.0	$71,150	$64,070	90.0	100
55	Greensboro–High PointNC · $65,830 median · prices 92.9	$70,890	$65,830	92.9	90
56	Sioux FallsSD-MN · $64,090 median · prices 90.6	$70,720	$64,090	90.6	60
57	DecaturAL · $61,670 median · prices 87.2	$70,710	$61,670	87.2	60
58	Baltimore–Columbia–TowsonMD · $73,540 median · prices 104.5	$70,380	$73,540	104.5	90
59	TuscaloosaAL · $61,380 median · prices 87.7	$69,970	$61,380	87.7	120
60	St. LouisMO-IL · $66,480 median · prices 95.1	$69,910	$66,480	95.1	420
61	Des Moines–West Des MoinesIA · $63,950 median · prices 91.7	$69,740	$63,950	91.7	100
62	Grand Rapids–Wyoming–KentwoodMI · $66,510 median · prices 95.5	$69,610	$66,510	95.5	320
63	Corpus ChristiTX · $63,890 median · prices 92.7	$68,940	$63,890	92.7	110
64	Huntington–AshlandWV-KY-OH · $60,880 median · prices 88.4	$68,850	$60,880	88.4	130
65	New Orleans–MetairieLA · $63,730 median · prices 92.6	$68,830	$63,730	92.6	140
66	Davenport–Moline–Rock IslandIA-IL · $61,260 median · prices 89.1	$68,770	$61,260	89.1	80
67	ChattanoogaTN-GA · $62,850 median · prices 91.5	$68,720	$62,850	91.5	160
68	Houston–Pasadena–The WoodlandsTX · $67,750 median · prices 98.6	$68,690	$67,750	98.6	820
69	Sherman–DenisonTX · $64,240 median · prices 93.8	$68,510	$64,240	93.8	50
70	OmahaNE-IA · $62,960 median · prices 91.9	$68,500	$62,960	91.9	230
71	Cedar RapidsIA · $60,900 median · prices 89.0	$68,460	$60,900	89.0	60
72	PeoriaIL · $61,870 median · prices 91.2	$67,820	$61,870	91.2	60
73	Coeur d'AleneID · $66,460 median · prices 98.3	$67,610	$66,460	98.3	70
74	Augusta–Richmond CountyGA-SC · $62,080 median · prices 91.9	$67,550	$62,080	91.9	110
75	SpartanburgSC · $61,340 median · prices 91.1	$67,370	$61,340	91.1	80
76	EriePA · $61,260 median · prices 91.0	$67,360	$61,260	91.0	70
77	York–HanoverPA · $64,530 median · prices 96.0	$67,220	$64,530	96.0	80
78	Charlotte–Concord–GastoniaNC-SC · $65,360 median · prices 97.3	$67,140	$65,360	97.3	300
79	MobileAL · $59,130 median · prices 88.1	$67,120	$59,130	88.1	160
80	KnoxvilleTN · $61,820 median · prices 92.6	$66,780	$61,820	92.6	200
81	BirminghamAL · $60,830 median · prices 91.6	$66,380	$60,830	91.6	310
82	Boise CityID · $64,710 median · prices 98.4	$65,770	$64,710	98.4	70
83	JacksonvilleFL · $65,420 median · prices 99.5	$65,760	$65,420	99.5	160
84	Riverside–San Bernardino–OntarioCA · $69,880 median · prices 106.4	$65,650	$69,880	106.4	190
85	PittsburghPA · $61,440 median · prices 94.7	$64,900	$61,440	94.7	200
86	Salt Lake City–MurrayUT · $65,350 median · prices 100.9	$64,790	$65,350	100.9	90
87	ReadingPA · $62,580 median · prices 97.1	$64,480	$62,580	97.1	70
88	Atlanta–Sandy Springs–RoswellGA · $64,160 median · prices 100.1	$64,120	$64,160	100.1	510
89	Allentown–Bethlehem–EastonPA-NJ · $63,950 median · prices 100.0	$63,970	$63,950	100.0	150
90	SavannahGA · $60,890 median · prices 95.2	$63,960	$60,890	95.2	210
91	MemphisTN-MS-AR · $58,930 median · prices 92.2	$63,930	$58,930	92.2	190
92	MonroeLA · $53,290 median · prices 83.6	$63,750	$53,290	83.6	60
93	Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––FranklinTN · $61,320 median · prices 96.3	$63,650	$61,320	96.3	260
94	Dallas–Fort Worth–ArlingtonTX · $65,500 median · prices 103.1	$63,540	$65,500	103.1	640
95	LancasterPA · $61,790 median · prices 98.3	$62,890	$61,790	98.3	110
96	San Antonio–New BraunfelsTX · $59,400 median · prices 94.7	$62,710	$59,400	94.7	240
97	RochesterNY · $60,720 median · prices 97.0	$62,580	$60,720	97.0	70
98	AlbanyOR · $63,060 median · prices 102.1	$61,760	$63,060	102.1	60
99	WacoTX · $57,070 median · prices 92.5	$61,660	$57,070	92.5	50
100	Greenville–Anderson–GreerSC · $56,920 median · prices 93.3	$61,030	$56,920	93.3	160
101	DothanAL · $50,630 median · prices 83.8	$60,390	$50,630	83.8	60
102	Gulfport–BiloxiMS · $53,330 median · prices 90.0	$59,250	$53,330	90.0	140
103	El PasoTX · $53,020 median · prices 89.9	$58,970	$53,020	89.9	120
104	Fort SmithAR-OK · $50,040 median · prices 85.9	$58,260	$50,040	85.9	50
105	Phoenix–Mesa–ChandlerAZ · $57,380 median · prices 103.3	$55,540	$57,380	103.3	380
106	JacksonMS · $48,470 median · prices 89.0	$54,430	$48,470	89.0	200
107	Little Rock–North Little Rock–ConwayAR · $48,360 median · prices 89.4	$54,120	$48,360	89.4	190
108	Fayetteville–Springdale–RogersAR · $48,410 median · prices 91.4	$52,990	$48,410	91.4	130
109	LynchburgVA · $45,760 median · prices 89.4	$51,210	$45,760	89.4	50
110	RichmondVA · $48,890 median · prices 97.9	$49,960	$48,890	97.9	150
111	ModestoCA · $49,810 median · prices 104.1	$47,840	$49,810	104.1	130

Price level: BEA Regional Price Parity, U.S. average = 100. Every metro links to its full millwright pay page. By state: best states for millwrights.

How we ranked them

Each metro area's median annual wage for millwrights (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 49-9044) divided by its Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity for 2024 (all items, U.S. = 100), then ranked. Metros are included when BLS publishes a median and at least 50 millwrights work there. Wages exclude self-employed millwrights. Methodology

Questions

What is the best city for millwrights?: After cost of living, the Kennewick–Richland, WA area: the median of $107,700 a year buys about what $107,610 would at average U.S. prices.
Which city pays millwrights the most?: Before adjusting for prices, the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA area has the highest median, $113,490. After cost of living it ranks 6th of 111.
What is the best big city for millwrights?: Among the 20 metro areas with the most millwrights, the Kansas City, MO-KS area, 5th overall: its median of $91,380 buys what $98,740 would nationally.
Where does millwright pay go the least far?: Of the 111 metro areas ranked, the Modesto, CA area, where the median of $49,810 buys about what $47,840 would nationally.
Which cities are included?: The 111 metro areas where BLS publishes a median for millwrights and at least 50 of them work. Smaller metros and rural areas are on each state's millwright pay page.
How is cost of living adjusted?: We divide each metro's median by its Regional Price Parity from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), where the U.S. average is 100. A metro with prices 10% above average (110) has its median divided by 1.10.