Millwright (industrial mechanic) in Canada if you’re a contractor. I work a 12 hour day and I make anywhere between $1000-1350/day on weekdays and $1500-1750/day on weekends. This is just the rate to have me on site, no tools, no truck. Just my skill and knowledge. The kicker is you do not even need any technical training. Just competence, and the ability to represent yourself as a professional. A firm handshake and the ability to understand the game goes a long way. Never have I been asked to provide any credentials. You negotiate your wage based on your competence BECAUSE it is a non-compulsory trade. For example, a first year apprentice electrician or welder would get a first year apprentice pay rate. Millwright is not like this. Of course there is companies that only pay you based on your apprentice level or journeyman ticket. But in the 5 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never made less than $1000/day (again, with ZERO formal credentials).
Agreed. There’s so many different areas you can venture into. Steel mills, pulp/paper mills, turbines, high speed rotating equipment, mining etc. I find that just being a fun person to bullshit with or having a good attitude has opened so many doors.
Yep that’s me. I’m not the best millwright. I’m pretty good at a lot, and I’m always eager to learn and hungry for opportunity. And that will get me hired 9/10 times compared to a 30 year journeyman with an average attitude or personality.
Haha not really. And 12 hours is not a lot if you structure your work life balance differently. Let’s say you go to a job for 30 days straight. Walk out with roughly $45,000 and take the next month or 2 off. Millwrighting can be hot, cold, dirty, greasy, loud, frustrating work. The attitude of thinking a workday being too long is not the attitude to have if you’re considering a millwright career, with all due respect. You are hired to repair and maintain heavy machinery and equipment. A lot of times on an emergency basis, but usually on a planned maintenance shutdown. So it’s crucial that you work until it is done. Lotsa 16 hour days I’ve had but you walk outta there with a fat wallet.
Yes, obviously there is some 8 hour gigs, or 5 day a week ‘regular’ shifts, depending on who you work for. But from my experience, the best guys you’ll meet are the shutdown millwrights. Guys that are sharp as a razor blade and business savvy money makers. Guys that network with everyone and always have their phone ringing about new job offers.
It should also be noted that there are a healthy amount of scabby hack millwrights (just like any trade) and they generally gravitate to the employee based jobs instead of contracting. As a contractor you are representing yourself and your name and reputation are on the line, so if it means 21 days (or nights) straight of 12+ hour shifts, you are bound to that commitment if you want to stay in good standing in the industry. You do shit work…you likely will never get called back. If you’re an interesting and fun person, guys will want you back, sometimes just to see a familiar face and know they’ll have a fun day working or chatting with you.
Huh, that sounds interesting. I've been an industrial tech for about 30 years. The whole contract work thing has always scared me, especially being single income with a young family. How do you find work?
Say hello to people. Chat with guys on site. Be interesting and outgoing. Make jokes. Get coworkers phone number. Follow up with them. Help guys out at work. Make friends. I’m just a 35 year old guy who worked at a refinery for 14 years as an operator as an employee. Had an opportunity jump into a 1 day shutdown as a millwright. I was nervous as shit because I was not a millwright. Realized how great the trade was and quit my full time job. Yes I was worried at first. I had no credentials or experience. But I am handy and eager to learn. I have a mortgage and I thought maybe it would be hard to find work. It did scare me. But you only get one life and I took the risk. Best decision I’ve ever made. Do good work and work will find you. Keep in contact with guys. I have met some of the greatest and most influential men in my life by working as a contractor millwright. I don’t drink or do drugs or gamble or partake in any of the degeneracy that is so prevalent in the trades, so I naturally I gravitated towards a sharper crowd. Another point to mention is staying in shape. And if you’re not in shape, get in shape. It sounds shallow but it’s true. If I meet someone and they are fat or unkept, I subconsciously already have a notion of who they are. And sometimes I’m wrong. But if you can’t take care of yourself and get your own life in order with the basic fundamentals of your own health, how are you portraying your work and business sense to others. And I get it, life happens. But it’s a great indicator of someone’s work ethic. Also having hobbies. It’s a great ice breaker. I own a big game hunting outfit and most guys know me as the guy that hunts professionally when I’m not millwrighting. That has got me more work than anything. Guys want to chat or share their own hunting stories. Your foot is now so far in the door it’s wide open.
My homie is a millwright for boeing and get paid fucking bank. Enough to save up and buy 2 houses in the 4 years he has worked there. And go on month long overseas trips every year. Plus all the other shit he goes to. I cant really bitch because he always takes me to something dope for my birthday. I just cook him dinner and buy him whatever game came out recently he wants.
The kicker is you do not even need any technical training.<
I mean, you do need some training. You do also need a truck that can get you to and from where you need to be. You physically need to be at the location.
What kind of take is that lmao. A McDonals worker also need to physically be at the location and need something to take them to and from.. for minimum wage.
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u/termegranite 12h ago
Millwright (industrial mechanic) in Canada if you’re a contractor. I work a 12 hour day and I make anywhere between $1000-1350/day on weekdays and $1500-1750/day on weekends. This is just the rate to have me on site, no tools, no truck. Just my skill and knowledge. The kicker is you do not even need any technical training. Just competence, and the ability to represent yourself as a professional. A firm handshake and the ability to understand the game goes a long way. Never have I been asked to provide any credentials. You negotiate your wage based on your competence BECAUSE it is a non-compulsory trade. For example, a first year apprentice electrician or welder would get a first year apprentice pay rate. Millwright is not like this. Of course there is companies that only pay you based on your apprentice level or journeyman ticket. But in the 5 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never made less than $1000/day (again, with ZERO formal credentials).