Wind turbine technicians held about 11,100 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of wind turbine technicians were as follows:
| Electric power generation | 32% |
| Repair and maintenance | 25 |
| Utility system construction | 21 |
| Self-employed workers | 7 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 3 |
Wind 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.
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.
Wind turbine service technicians (windtechs) typically have an interest in the Building and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a wind turbine service technician (windtech), you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Wind turbine service technicians (windtechs) should also possess the following specific qualities:
Mechanical skills. Windtechs must understand and be able to maintain and repair all mechanical, hydraulic, braking, and electrical systems of a turbine.
Physical stamina. Service technicians must be able to climb high, often with tools and equipment, to reach the turbines. Some tower ladders may be 260 feet high or taller.
Physical strength. Windtechs must lift and climb with heavy equipment and parts and tools. Some weigh in excess of 45 pounds.
Troubleshooting skills. Windtechs must diagnose and repair problems. When a turbine stops generating electricity, technicians must determine the cause and then make the necessary repairs.
Unafraid of heights and confined spaces. Service technicians often must repair turbines that are at least 260 feet high. In addition, technicians must work in confined spaces in order to access mechanical components of the turbine.
The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $56,260 in May 2021. 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 $46,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,810.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for wind turbine technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $63,640 |
| Electric power generation | 60,730 |
| Repair and maintenance | 51,110 |
| Utility system construction | 50,630 |
Most wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, work full time, and they also may be on call in the evening or on weekends.
Employment of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow 44 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,900 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. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth is expected to result in only about 4,900 new jobs over the projections decade.
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