Work Environment
Wind turbine technicians held about 6,900 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of wind turbine technicians were as follows:
- Electric power generation - 31%
- Repair and maintenance - 24%
- Utility system construction - 17%
- Self-employed workers - 12%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - 6%
Wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, generally work outdoors, often at great heights and with a partner. For example, when repairing blades, windtechs rappel—or descend by sliding down a rope—from the nacelle to the section of the blade that needs servicing. To reach the mechanical equipment, workers must climb ladders—sometimes more than 260 feet tall—while wearing a fall protection harness and carrying tools. When maintaining mechanical systems, windtechs work in the confined space of the nacelle.
For major service or repairs, additional windtechs and other specialists, such as electricians, may be needed to complete the job quickly.
Injuries and Illnesses
Wind turbine service technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Work Schedules
Although the majority of windtechs work full time, they may also be on call to handle emergencies during evenings and weekends.
When a wind turbine is not functioning, technicians must find the problem and make the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
Windtechs often travel to rural areas, where many wind farms are located.
Job Outlook
Employment of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow 68 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,400 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 4,700 new jobs over the decade.
Earnings
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
The majority of wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, work full time, and they may also be on call to handle emergencies during evenings and weekends.
When a wind turbine is not functioning, technicians must find the problem and make the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
Windtechs often travel to rural areas, where many wind farms are located.
