Wind turbine technician is officially the fastest-growing occupation in the US — and the pay is solid for a 2-year training investment. Here’s the full breakdown for 2026.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for wind turbine service technicians, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| 25th | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| 50th (median) | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 75th | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| 90th | $92,460 | $44.45 |
| Average (mean) | $68,980 | $33.16 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Wind Turbine Service Technicians (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Wind Turbine Technician Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee / Level 1 (0–2 years) | $20–$27 | $42,000–$56,000 |
| Technician / Level 2 (2–5 years) | $27–$38 | $56,000–$79,000 |
| Senior Tech / Level 3 (5+ years) | $32–$48 | $67,000–$100,000 |
| Lead Technician / Site Supervisor | $42–$58 | $87,000–$121,000 |
| Offshore Wind Technician | $38–$65 | $79,000–$135,000 |
BLS Median Data (2025)
- Median annual wage: $61,000
- Top 10%: $90,000+
- Bottom 10%: $44,000
Salary by State / Region
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $86,120 | $59,980 | $77,910 |
| 2 | New York | $81,230 | $57,280 | $81,330 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $74,220 | $60,730 | $66,380 |
| 4 | Washington | $73,910 | $60,730 | $75,880 |
| 5 | Kansas | $73,800 | $42,920 | $78,240 |
| 6 | Indiana | $73,190 | $56,470 | $76,680 |
| 7 | Iowa | $73,070 | $57,630 | $74,880 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $72,800 | $51,360 | $66,700 |
| 9 | Colorado | $72,310 | $57,370 | $74,740 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $72,170 | $59,010 | $65,000 |
| 11 | Montana | $71,810 | $61,160 | $62,360 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $71,770 | $60,150 | $62,830 |
| 13 | Ohio | $71,450 | $47,880 | $73,880 |
| 14 | Arizona | $71,030 | $51,240 | $66,330 |
| 15 | Missouri | $68,420 | $56,410 | $65,230 |
| 16 | Michigan | $67,830 | $51,260 | $62,800 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $67,700 | $46,350 | $73,820 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $67,400 | $48,030 | $60,830 |
| 19 | Idaho | $66,000 | $56,890 | $60,810 |
| 20 | Texas | $64,310 | $48,830 | $61,950 |
| 21 | Maine | $62,890 | $53,290 | $59,220 |
| 22 | Oregon | $61,740 | $42,630 | $61,820 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $61,270 | $45,270 | $59,290 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $58,560 | $48,760 | $57,230 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $54,140 | $47,130 | $50,040 |
| — | National | $68,980 | $49,230 | $64,120 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Wind Turbine Service Technicians (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Onshore vs. Offshore Wind Technician Pay
| Factor | Onshore | Offshore |
|---|---|---|
| Avg annual salary | $58,000–$85,000 | $80,000–$135,000 |
| Work schedule | Standard days + occasional on-call | Rotation (2–3 weeks on / 2–3 weeks off) |
| Location | Rural wind farms; travel required | Boat or helicopter to platform |
| Hazard premium | Moderate | High — weather, sea travel |
| Demand growth | Strong | Very strong (Atlantic build-out) |
Top Employers of Wind Turbine Technicians
| Employer | Description |
|---|---|
| Vestas | Global turbine manufacturer; large US workforce |
| GE Vernova (formerly GE Renewable Energy) | Major US manufacturer |
| Siemens Gamesa | Global turbine manufacturer |
| Ørsted | Offshore wind developer (East Coast US) |
| NextEra Energy | Largest US wind farm operator |
| Enel Green Power | Large US onshore portfolio |
| Low-voltage contractors | Support multiple wind farms regionally |
Job Duties and Physical Requirements
| Duty | Details |
|---|---|
| Tower climbing | Climb 200–300 ft turbine towers regularly |
| Mechanical maintenance | Gearboxes, drive trains, blade systems |
| Electrical maintenance | Converters, transformers, control systems |
| SCADA system work | Supervisory control and data acquisition; turbine monitoring |
| Rope work / rappelling | Some blade inspection requires rappelling |
| Weather tolerance | Work in extreme heat, cold, and wind |
Training Path
| Option | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community college wind tech program | 2 years | $5,000–$20,000 | Most common path |
| Certificate program | 6–12 months | $3,000–$10,000 | Faster; less comprehensive |
| Employer on-the-job training | Immediate | $0 | Less formal; entry-level roles |
| GWO Basic Technical Training (BTT) | 5 days | $800–$1,500 | Often employer-required |
| OSHA 10/30 | 1–4 days | $100–$300 | Safety foundation |
Job Outlook
BLS projects 30% job growth through 2035 — among the fastest of any occupation BLS tracks. The US offshore wind industry is expanding rapidly along the Atlantic coast, with major projects in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, and the Gulf of Mexico. Wind techs are in genuine shortage in many wind-strong states like Texas, Iowa, and Kansas. This is one of the clearest opportunities in the skilled trades for career entry in 2026.
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