Automotive Service Technicians vs Millwrights
Side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training requirements based on BLS data.
Overview
Both automotive service technicians and millwrights offer solid blue-collar careers, but they serve different industries and lifestyles. Auto techs earn a median $49,670 annually with 8% projected growth, working primarily on cars and light trucks in service bays. Millwrights command higher pay at $65,170 median salary—that's $15,500 more—but with slower 5.4% growth. They install and maintain heavy industrial machinery. Auto tech training takes 2-4 years through trade school plus ASE certification, while millwrights complete a 4-year apprenticeship. Both require strong mechanical skills, but millwrights handle larger-scale industrial equipment while auto techs focus on consumer vehicles.
Salary Breakdown
Millwrights have the salary advantage with a median $65,170 versus auto techs at $49,670—a 23.8% difference. Entry-level auto techs start around $35,000 but experienced technicians, especially those specializing in luxury vehicles or diagnostics, can reach $70,000+. Millwrights typically start higher at $45,000 during apprenticeship, with journeyman millwrights earning $80,000-$100,000+ in industrial settings. Both trades offer overtime opportunities, but millwrights often see more premium pay for emergency repairs and shutdowns. Specialty certifications in auto repair (hybrid, diesel) or millwright skills (precision alignment, rigging) significantly boost earning potential in both fields.
Work Environment
Auto techs work primarily indoors in service bays, dealing with oil, fluids, and moderate lifting. Hours are typically regular business hours, though some shops offer evening service. Millwrights face more varied conditions—factories, power plants, construction sites—often working at heights, with heavy machinery, and irregular schedules including shutdowns and emergency calls. Travel is minimal for auto techs unless mobile service, while millwrights may travel extensively for major installations. Both face injury risks, but millwrights encounter more severe hazards with heavy equipment and industrial environments. Auto work involves repetitive motions; millwright work demands significant physical strength and stamina.
Career Growth
Auto techs can specialize in transmissions, electronics, hybrid vehicles, or luxury brands, potentially opening independent shops or becoming service managers. Master technicians at dealerships earn premium wages. Business ownership—opening a repair shop—offers unlimited earning potential but requires business skills. Millwrights advance to supervisors, project managers, or specialized roles like precision machinery alignment. Many become contractors or consultants earning $100,000+. The industrial maintenance manager path offers six-figure salaries. Both trades benefit from continuous learning—auto techs must stay current with vehicle technology, while millwrights need updated knowledge of industrial automation and robotics.
Who should choose Automotive Service Technicians?
Choose automotive service technician if you enjoy problem-solving with consumer vehicles, prefer steady hours and local work, and want faster entry into the workforce. This path suits people who like diagnostic work, don't mind moderate physical demands, and enjoy customer interaction. It's ideal if you want to eventually own a repair business, prefer working on smaller equipment, and value job availability in every community. The growing complexity of vehicle technology offers long-term job security despite lower starting wages.
Typical path: Trade school or community college + ASE certification; on-the-job training
Explore Automotive Service Technicians →Who should choose Millwrights?
Choose millwright if you want higher earning potential, enjoy working with massive industrial equipment, and don't mind travel or irregular schedules. This trade suits people who thrive on physical challenges, complex installations, and problem-solving at an industrial scale. Pick millwright if you prefer minimal customer interaction, want to work in manufacturing/power generation, and can handle a longer apprenticeship for better pay. It's perfect for those who enjoy variety in work locations and don't mind the physical demands of heavy industrial work.
Typical path: UBC Millwright apprenticeship; strong mechanical aptitude required
Explore Millwrights →The Bottom Line
Both are recession-resistant trades with good futures. Choose auto tech for faster entry, local work, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Choose millwright for higher pay and industrial career path. Your decision should hinge on preferred work environment and earning timeline.