### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Wind Turbine Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			wind turbine technicians imageWind turbine technicians visually inspect wind turbines for damage.							
						Quick Facts:     Wind Turbine Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$61,770     per year
										$29.70     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    11,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    45% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    5,000What Wind Turbine Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Wind turbine service technicians maintain and repair wind turbines.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Wind turbine service technicians generally work outdoors, in confined spaces, and often at great heights. Most windtechs work full time, and they also may be on call in the evening or on weekends.
            
                                                How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician
                                                
                        
Wind turbine service technicians typically need a postsecondary nondegree award to enter the occupation. They also typically receive on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $61,770 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow							 45 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 1,800 openings for wind turbine technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wind turbine technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wind turbine technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about wind turbine technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Wind Turbine Technicians Do 
            

			wind turbine technicians imageWind turbine technicians often monitor turbines from the ground.			
Wind turbine service technicians, also known as *windtechs*, maintain and repair wind turbines.
Duties
Wind turbine service technicians typically do the following:
Assist engineers and ironworkers in installing new wind turbines
Inspect the exterior and physical integrity of wind turbine towers
Climb wind turbine towers to inspect or repair wind turbine equipment
Perform routine maintenance on wind turbines
Test and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems
Replace worn or malfunctioning components
Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis
Service underground transmission systems, wind field substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systemsWindtechs maintain and fix the components of wind turbines, large mechanical structures that convert wind energy into electricity. The three major components of each turbine are a tower; a nacelle, which contains the equipment that generates electricity; and three blades attached to the nacelle. Most of a windtech’s work focuses on maintaining the nacelle.
Windtechs typically maintain turbines by inspecting components and lubricating parts. Maintenance schedules are largely determined by the hours a turbine operates but also may vary by manufacturer. For turbines that operate year round, windtechs may do routine maintenance one to three times a year.
Turbines have electronic monitoring equipment, usually located in the nacelle, that provides an alert when a problem is detected. Although windtechs may access monitoring equipment both onsite and off, they must travel to the worksite to make repairs to turbine components.
Windtechs use a safety harness when climbing the tower, which may be 200 feet or higher, to reach the nacelle. They use a variety of handtools and power tools to make adjustments or repairs, and they use computers to diagnose electrical malfunctions.
 Work Environment
			wind turbine technicians imageWind turbine technicians often work outdoors.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Wind turbine technicians held about 11,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of wind turbine technicians were as follows:
        Wind electric power generation
                29%Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance
                25Power and communication line and related structures construction
                16Self-employed workers
                11Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers
                2Wind turbine service technicians, also known as *windtechs*, generally work outdoors, including in extreme temperatures, on rural or offshore wind farms. They must be physically able to work at great heights. For example, workers must climb ladders to reach the nacelle—which is mounted on towers that are more than 200 feet tall—while wearing a fall-protection harness and carrying tools. When repairing blades, windtechs rappel, or descend by sliding down a rope, from the nacelle to the section of the blade that needs servicing.
When maintaining mechanical systems, windtechs work in the confined space of the nacelle.
Windtechs sometimes work with another windtech or with other specialists, such as electricians, when doing major service or repairs.
Injuries and Illnesses
Wind turbine service technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
To reduce their risk of falls, windtechs follow safety protocols such as using a harness and other safety equipment during climbs. To guard against injury, they wear hard hats, gloves, and other protective gear.
Work Schedules
Most windtechs work full time, and they also may be on call in the evening or on weekends.
Windtechs may travel to wind farms in rural areas or on offshore wind farms. Working on offshore farms may require being away from home for several days or weeks at a time.
 How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician

			wind turbine technicians imageWind turbine technicians receive on-the-job training from experienced workers.			
Wind turbine service technicians, also known as *windtechs*, typically need a postsecondary nondegree award to enter the occupation. They also typically receive on-the-job training from their employer.
Education
Windtechs typically attend technical schools or community colleges, where they may complete a postsecondary certificate in wind energy technology or choose to earn an associate’s degree.
Many technical schools have onsite wind turbines that students service as part of their studies. In addition to hands-on learning, windtech coursework includes maintenance instruction for electrical and hydraulic systems, braking and mechanical systems, and programmable logic control systems. Students also receive instruction in tower climbing, along with training for rescues, safety, first aid, and CPR.
Training
Once hired, windtechs typically receive employer- or manufacturer-provided on-the-job training that is related to the specific wind turbines they will maintain and repair.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not mandatory, professional certification allows workers to demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and competence. Certification subjects for windtechs include workplace electrical safety, tower climbing, and self-rescue. Employers often direct workers to the certifications they need.
Important Qualities
***Ability to work at heights.***Windtechs must be comfortable working at heights to maintain or repair turbines. Tower ladders are usually at least 200 feet high.
***Communication skills.***Windtechs must exchange information with windtechs or specialists, such as electricians, in order to work safely and effectively.
***Detail oriented.*** Windtechs must maintain records of all of the services they perform. Turbine maintenance requires precise measurements, a strict order of operations, and numerous safety procedures.
***Mechanical skills.*** Windtechs must understand and be able to maintain and repair a turbine’s various technical systems.
***Physical stamina.*** Windtechs must be able to climb turbine towers, often with tools and equipment.
***Physical strength.*** Windtechs must lift heavy equipment, parts, and tools, some of which weigh 50 pounds or more.
***Problem-solving**skills.*** Windtechs must diagnose and repair turbine problems. When a malfunction or other issue arises, technicians must determine the cause and make the necessary repairs.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Wind Turbine TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Wind turbine service technicians$61,770  Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations$53,920  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $61,770 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,300.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for wind turbine technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers
                $79,610Wind electric power generation
                61,860Power and communication line and related structures construction
                59,860Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance
                56,600Most wind turbine service technicians, also known as *windtechs*, work full time, and they also may be on call in the evening or on weekends.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Wind Turbine TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Wind turbine service technicians45%  Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow				 45 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,800 openings for wind turbine technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Development of taller towers with larger blades has reduced the cost of wind power generation, making it more competitive with coal, natural gas, and other forms of power generation. As additional wind turbines are erected, more windtechs will be needed to install and maintain turbines.
			

                        Employment projections data for     wind turbine technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Wind turbine service technicians**
			49-9081
			11,200
			16,200
			45
			5,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Wind turbine service technicians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of wind turbine technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers**
            Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment.
            See How to Become One
            $67,220**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers**
            Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $102,420**Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers**
            Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,300**Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights**
            Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,170**Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters**
            Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,550
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about educational opportunities and career paths, visit
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
For more information about education and training opportunities, visit
WindExchange

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Wind Turbine Service Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Wind Turbine Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH