Machinists vs Millwrights
Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index
A factual, source-backed comparison of Machinists and Millwrights on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”
At a glance
| Dimension | Machinists | Millwrights |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $56,150 | $65,170 |
| Employment | 298,790 | 40,660 |
| Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection | About average (0.0%) | About average (0.0%) |
| Annual openings · BLS projection | 29,500 | 3,600 |
| Typical education · O*NET | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. | Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| AI exposure · published exposure studies | Moderate · 53rd pct | Low · 16th pct |
| Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk | 28th pct · 18% of tasks | 24th pct · 17% of tasks |
| Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index | Automation-leaning (38.1%) | — |
| Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman | No | No |
Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.
Skills
Shared: Arm-Hand Steadiness, Manual Dexterity, Finger Dexterity, Control Precision, Mathematics, Mechanical, Production and Processing, Operation and Control, Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, Near Vision, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Oral Comprehension, Information Ordering, Visualization, Multilimb Coordination, Design, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis, Oral Expression, Inductive Reasoning, Mathematics, Equipment Maintenance.
Specific to Machinists
- Selective Attention
- Rate Control
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Written Comprehension
- Category Flexibility
- Flexibility of Closure
- Perceptual Speed
Specific to Millwrights
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
- Installation
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Repairing
- Engineering and Technology
Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).
Tools & technology
Shared: Computer aided design CAD software , Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Electronic mail software , Word processing software , Enterprise resource planning ERP software .
Specific to Machinists
Specific to Millwrights
Full profiles
This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Machinists or Millwrights — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.
More comparisons
Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.
- Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- Machinists vs Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Machinists vs Tool and Die Makers
- Machinists vs Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Machinists vs Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
- Machinists vs Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Machinists vs Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Machinists vs Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Singulariki. "Machinists vs Millwrights." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-millwrights
Singulariki. (2026). Machinists vs Millwrights. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-millwrights
@misc{singulariki-machinists-vs-millwrights,
title = {Machinists vs Millwrights},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/compare/machinists-vs-millwrights}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.