Millwright salary in South Africa: what you can expect in 2025
The millwright's salary is estimated between R25,000 and R33,000 per month. Millwrights play a crucial role in keeping industrial machinery running smoothly. The salary reflects their expertise, experience, and skill demand.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Millwrights are skilled professionals who specialise in installing, maintaining, assembling, and repairing industrial machinery.
- Hourly wages range from R77 for beginners to R200 or more for highly experienced artisans.
- Locations like Kathu and Alberton offer higher salaries than other cities.
- The average monthly salary for a millwright in South Africa is about R25,000 to R33,000.
A look at the millwright salary and meaning
A millwright is a skilled tradesperson or craftsman who specialises in installing, maintaining, repairing, dismantling, and reassembling industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. The trade is essential for supporting manufacturing, production, and industrial infrastructure.
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How much do millwrights get paid in South Africa?
According to Salary Expert, a millwright's annual gross salary is R383 or R184 per hour. Indeed estimates the average base salary to be R398,228, while Payscale caps it at R366,000 per year.
What is the entry-level millwright apprenticeship salary in South Africa?
According to Indeed, an apprentice's average monthly millwright salary is R6,650, while a millwright technician earns about R29,660. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly compensation of a millwright depending on experience:
| Experience level | Gross hourly salary |
| 0-3 Years | R77 |
| 4-9 Years | R140 |
| 10-20 Years | R180 |
| 20+ Years | R200 |
What is the highest-paid millwright?
The highest-paid millwright in South Africa can earn up to R530,000 to R539,000 annually, corresponding to roughly R38,000 to R45,000 gross per month. This compensation depends on experience.
Highly experienced (20+ years) millwrights' salaries are higher than millwright apprenticeship salaries. Additionally, salaries vary by city, with some cities like Kathu and Alberton offering monthly salaries of around R36,000 or more.
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What does a millwright do?
Millwrights in South Africa perform various essential tasks involving industrial machinery and equipment. These include:
- Installing and assembling machinery.
- Troubleshooting electrical systems.
- Fit, align, and attach mechanical components.
- Service hydraulic systems.
- Perform routine machine maintenance.
- Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining a safe work environment.
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What qualifications do you need to be a millwright?
To become a millwright in South Africa, you need the following:
- Minimum educational requirement: Grade 9 Certificate (NQF Level 1), and good results in Maths and Science.
- Age: At least 16 years old to start an apprenticeship.
- Complete an accredited millwright apprenticeship program.
- Obtain a Millwright Trade Certificate.
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Trivia
- Multiple top universities and technical colleges across South Africa offer accredited millwright programs.
- Millwright originally referred to craftsmen who designed and built water-powered flour, saw, and paper mills.
- In the 17th and 18th centuries, millwrights were master craftsmen responsible for designing water wheel systems and gears with knowledge of arithmetic and geometry.
- In addition to formal qualifications, problem-solving, safety awareness, and physical stamina are essential requirements for a millwright.
Wrapping up
The millwright salary, estimated at between R25,000 and R33,000 per month, showcases the worth of this essential industrial profession. Experienced millwrights enjoy competitive pay and job stability across South Africa. Investing in millwright training can lead to substantial financial returns.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
