Job Opportunities in Energy: Wind Turbine Technician
By Sammie Trvalik, Earth Forward Group
October is Energy Awareness Month, promoting building optimization and management, energy resilience, and the use of advanced energy technologies to build a more sustainable future. This month, Earth Forward Group celebrates the rapidly accelerating growth of green energy jobs. Each week, we will be highlighting career opportunities in the energy sector for entry-level professionals, seasoned workers, and career-changers. Green job skills are in high demand — we will cover which valuable skills and certifications will help you land the job for each position.
This week, we are focusing on another rapidly growing career opportunities in renewable energy — the wind turbine service technician, or wind tech. This position is the fastest growing occupation in the United States, in part because of its particular low barrier to entry compared to the other trades as there are no mandatory licensing requirements.
The following information was collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wind Turbine Technician
Average salary: $56,260 per year ($27.05 per hour) — ranges from $36–76,000
Entry level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
- 29% have a high school diploma
- 34% have a high school diploma + certificate
- 22% have some college experience
Number of jobs, 2021: 11,100
Projected growth over next 10 years: 44% (extremely high)
Background: Not required, trade experience in electrical, construction useful
Key benefits:
- Required paid overtime
- High in demand in areas with low cost of living
- High percentage of self-employed workers
- Extensive on-the-job training
Job duties:
- 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 systems
Skills:
- Communication skills
- Detail oriented
- Mechanical skills
- Physical stamina
- Physical strength
- Troubleshooting skills
Certification, Training, Licensing: there are no consistent requirements for wind techs, but the following are examples of useful opportunities to make yourself more marketable in the industry.
- Wind Energy Education and Training Programs interactive map (all accredited programs)
- ENSA North America, Inc. (working at heights)
- HYTORC (tool safety)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (electrical safety
- OSHA-10 (construction safety)
- Certificate in Wind Energy Technology
- American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certifications
- Drivers License
- Electrical license
- Tower climbing
- Self-rescue
Employers:
- Electric power generation: 32%
- Repair and maintenance: 25%
- Utility system construction: 21%
- Self-employed workers: 7%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: 3%
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Tour a wind turbine!
See CareerWatch’s video: Become a Wind Turbine Tech in 2021? Salary, Jobs, Education
Browse these sites to find green jobs and other impactful careers:
