Wind Turbine Technician Salary (2026 Data)
Wind turbine technicians — also called wind techs, windmill technicians, or wind power technicians — earn a median salary of $62,580 per year according to BLS May 2024 data. That puts the trade above the national median for all occupations, and with 50% job growth projected through 2034, the demand for qualified wind techs is only accelerating.
This guide breaks down wind turbine technician pay by experience level, state, metro area, and industry — so you can see exactly what the earning potential looks like at every stage of your career.
Table of Contents
Quick facts: Wind turbine technician salary
- Median salary: $62,580/yr — $30.09/hr (BLS, May 2024)
- Entry-level (10th percentile): $49,110/yr
- Experienced (90th percentile): $88,090/yr
- Mean annual wage: $67,580/yr
- Highest-paying state: Pennsylvania ($85,570/yr)
- Job outlook: 50% growth projected 2024–2034 (BLS) 🔥
- Total employed: 11,220 nationally (BLS, May 2024)
What Wind Turbine Technicians Earn
The national median annual wage for wind turbine service technicians is $62,580 (BLS OEWS, May 2024). That works out to roughly $30.09 per hour at the median.
The mean (average) annual wage is higher at $67,580 — pulled upward by high earners in specialized roles and premium markets. The spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles is significant: entry-level techs in lower-wage areas can expect around $49,110 to start, while experienced techs in top markets can clear $88,090.
Here’s the full wage distribution from BLS:
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage | What this represents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.61/hr | $49,110/yr | Entry-level, lower-wage markets |
| 25th percentile | $28.32/hr | $58,910/yr | Early career, 1–3 years experience |
| 50th percentile (Median) | $30.09/hr | $62,580/yr | Mid-career, typical full-time tech |
| 75th percentile | $36.37/hr | $75,640/yr | Experienced techs, premium markets |
| 90th percentile | $42.35/hr | $88,090/yr | Senior techs, supervisors, top states |
| Mean (average) | $32.49/hr | $67,580/yr | Pulled higher by top earners |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. SOC 49-9081 Wind Turbine Service Technicians.
Pro tip
The mean salary ($67,580) is notably higher than the median ($62,580) — a $5,000 gap. This tells you there’s a meaningful ceiling in the trade. If you pursue supervisory roles, specialize in offshore wind, or relocate to top-paying states like Pennsylvania or New Jersey, clearing $80,000+ is realistic with several years of experience.
Wind Turbine Technician Salary by State
Where you work matters enormously. Wind tech salaries vary by more than $20,000 between the top and median states, driven by local wind energy capacity, cost of living, project density, and demand for qualified techs.
Pennsylvania leads all states with a median of $85,570 — more than $23,000 above the national median. New Jersey ($81,920) and New York ($76,970) round out the top three, reflecting both the density of wind energy projects in the Northeast and the higher general cost of doing business in those markets.
Here are the states with the highest annual median wages for wind turbine technicians (BLS, May 2024):
| State | Annual Median Wage | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $85,570 | +$22,990 |
| New Jersey | $81,920 | +$19,340 |
| New York | $76,970 | +$14,390 |
| Ohio | $76,960 | +$14,380 |
| California | $75,330 | +$12,750 |
| North Dakota | $75,110 | +$12,530 |
| Wyoming | $74,640 | +$12,060 |
| Kansas | $73,220 | +$10,640 |
| Washington | $71,150 | +$8,570 |
| South Carolina | $70,400 | +$7,820 |
| Missouri | $68,160 | +$5,580 |
| Indiana | $67,070 | +$4,490 |
| Arizona | $66,710 | +$4,130 |
| Oregon | $66,030 | +$3,450 |
| North Carolina | $65,650 | +$3,070 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Only states with reportable data are listed; not all states have sufficient employment to publish state-level estimates.
Compare salary data of all trade jobs by state and level of experience with our skilled trade salary calculator tool based on BLS 2024 data.
It’s worth noting that several of the top-paying states — like North Dakota, Wyoming, and Kansas — have a lower cost of living than the national average. A $74,000–$75,000 salary in Wyoming or Kansas has real purchasing power that a $76,000 salary in New York doesn’t.
Wind Turbine Technician Salary by Metro Area
If you want to maximize wind power technician salary, metro area data tells a more granular story than state-level figures. The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro area in California tops the list at $105,370 — nearly $43,000 above the national median.
Nonmetropolitan rural areas also pay well in states with concentrated wind infrastructure. The Kansas nonmetropolitan area ($82,060) and Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area ($80,470) are both competitive with major metros, reflecting the reality that large utility-scale wind farms are typically built in rural regions where techs must travel and work in isolated conditions.
| Metro / Nonmetro Area | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,370 |
| Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $82,060 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $80,470 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $77,220 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $76,720 |
| East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $75,110 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $72,780 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $66,450 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $66,220 |
| Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $65,560 |
| Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $64,630 |
| Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $64,390 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $63,860 |
| Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $63,350 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $63,060 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
Good to know
Many of the top-paying metro areas for wind techs are rural nonmetropolitan regions — not major cities. This makes sense: utility-scale wind farms are built in wide-open spaces. If you’re willing to work in a rural area, that willingness to relocate is itself a salary advantage.
Wind Turbine Technician Salary by Industry
Not all employers pay the same. Your salary as a wind power technician depends heavily on which sector you work in. The BLS breaks out median wages by industry type, and the spread is meaningful.
| Industry / Employer Type | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $66,710 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $66,290 |
| Facilities Support Services | $66,090 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $64,630 |
| Utility System Construction | $63,070 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $62,050 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery & Equipment Repair & Maintenance | $61,790 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $61,210 |
| Employment Services (staffing agencies) | $46,350 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
The most important takeaway: avoid staffing agencies if you can. Techs hired through employment services earn a median of $46,350 — nearly $20,000 less than those employed directly by engineering firms or equipment manufacturers. Wherever possible, pursue direct employment with a wind farm operator, OEM (original equipment manufacturer like Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, or GE Vernova), or an independent service provider.
What Affects Your Wind Turbine Technician Salary
The $49,110-to-$88,090 range in this trade isn’t random. Here’s what actually drives your pay:
Experience and tenure. The jump from entry-level to mid-career is substantial — the gap between the 10th and 50th percentile alone is $13,470. Techs with 5+ years of field experience and a track record of diagnosing complex faults command significantly higher rates than those fresh out of a certificate program.
Employer type. As shown above, direct employment with engineering firms or manufacturers pays $15,000–$20,000 more than going through a staffing agency. Utility-scale wind farm operators and OEMs offer the best base salaries, plus benefits.
Location and willingness to travel. States like Pennsylvania and New Jersey pay $20,000+ above the national median. If you’re willing to work in high-demand rural wind corridors — Eastern Wyoming, West North Dakota, Southeast Minnesota — you can access strong pay even without relocating to a major city.
Certifications. The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training is a baseline requirement at most sites. Techs who add hydraulics, SCADA systems, or high-voltage training are more versatile and command higher pay. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification also signals advanced competency.
Turbine OEM specialization. Wind farms often run equipment from a single manufacturer. Being factory-trained and certified on a specific OEM platform (Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa) makes you more valuable to operators running that equipment.
Overtime and per diem. Wind techs frequently work non-standard hours, especially during commissioning projects or urgent repairs. Overtime pay and per diem allowances for travel and lodging can add $5,000–$15,000 to your annual take-home in field-heavy roles.
Watch out
Wind turbine work involves climbing towers that can exceed 300 feet — often in isolated outdoor environments with extreme weather. Height, confined spaces, and electrical hazards are real occupational risks. The BLS reports a higher-than-average injury rate for this occupation. Make sure any employer you consider has a documented safety culture, and never accept pressure to skip safety protocols to meet a deadline.
How Wind Tech Salary Compares to Other Trades
To put wind turbine technician pay in context, here’s how the median salary stacks up against other skilled trades, all from BLS May 2024 data:
| Trade | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (2024–2034) | Typical Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Turbine Technician | $62,580 | 50% 🔥 | Associate degree or cert |
| Elevator Installer/Repairer | $106,580 | 5% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 9% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Plumber / Pipefitter | $62,970 | 4% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| HVAC Technician | $59,810 | 8% | 6 mo–2 yr + apprenticeship |
| Solar PV Installer | $51,860 | 42% | 1 yr + OJT |
| Welder | $51,000 | 2% | 6 mo–2 yr |
All salary and job growth data: BLS, May 2024 (OEWS) and 2024–2034 Employment Projections.
Compare salary data of all trade jobs by state and level of experience with our skilled trade salary calculator tool based on BLS 2024 data.
Wind turbine technicians land squarely in the middle of the trades pay scale — essentially neck-and-neck with electricians and plumbers — but with dramatically faster job growth than any comparable occupation. The 50% growth projection through 2034 is the highest in the skilled trades sector, and the training path (typically a 2-year associate degree or a certificate program) is shorter than the 4–5 year apprenticeships required for electricians or plumbers.
For readers thinking about highest paying trade jobs overall, elevator installation still sits well above wind at $106,580. But elevator work offers far slower growth (5%) and is harder to break into without union sponsorship. Wind tech is the better option if growth trajectory and training speed are priorities.
How to Increase Your Wind Turbine Technician Salary
The good news: there are concrete, actionable steps that move the needle on pay in this trade.
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1
Get GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) before applying Global Wind Organisation (GWO) BST is essentially the industry-standard entry ticket. It covers first aid, fire awareness, manual handling, working at heights, and sea survival (for offshore roles). Without it, you’ll be screened out of most open positions. Cost runs $500–$1,500 depending on provider and location. Many employers will reimburse it after hire.
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2
Pursue OEM factory training Manufacturers like Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, and GE Vernova all offer technical training programs for their turbine platforms. Being certified on a specific OEM’s equipment makes you a better fit for operators running that hardware — and they pay accordingly. If your employer operates Vestas V150s, get Vestas-certified. It takes weeks, not years, and the pay premium is immediate.
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3
Add electrical and SCADA skills Wind turbines are increasingly sophisticated electrical systems. Techs who can read SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) data, troubleshoot electrical faults, and work on high-voltage systems are in higher demand than those limited to mechanical maintenance. An electrician’s background or coursework in industrial electrical systems is a significant salary differentiator. See our guide to how to become an electrician if you’re considering building out this skillset.
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4
Relocate to high-demand states or rural wind corridors Pennsylvania and New Jersey pay $20,000+ above the national median. But you don’t have to move to an expensive state — rural wind corridors in Wyoming, Kansas, and the Dakotas pay $73,000–$75,000 with a cost of living that makes that money go much further. Willingness to work where the turbines are is one of the simplest salary levers available.
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5
Target offshore wind roles as the market grows Offshore wind pays a substantial premium over onshore work — often 20–35% more — because of the hazard premium, specialized access skills (marine vessel transfer, rope access), and remote working conditions. The US offshore wind sector is expanding rapidly along the East Coast. Getting GWO Sea Survival certification and Medical Fitness (OGUK or equivalent) opens the door to these higher-paying roles. Entry is competitive, but the pay ceiling is higher than anything you’ll see in land-based wind.
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6
Move into lead tech or site supervisor roles Senior and lead technician roles command pay at the 75th–90th percentile ($75,640–$88,090). Site supervisors who manage teams of techs and coordinate with project managers often earn $90,000+ at large wind farms. These roles typically require 5–8 years of field experience plus demonstrated leadership and documentation skills. If you can write a clear maintenance report and train a junior tech, you’re already building the soft skills that get you promoted.
Pro tip
The fastest path to the top of the wind tech pay scale isn’t always staying in one place. Early-career techs who spend 2–4 years doing commissioning work — setting up new wind farms, which requires extensive travel — often build a depth of turbine experience in a short time that’s hard to match in a single-site role. It’s demanding, but the exposure accelerates both skills and salary faster than any certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average windmill technician salary in the US?
The median annual salary for wind turbine service technicians is $62,580, with a mean of $67,580, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. Entry-level techs typically start around $49,110, while experienced techs in top markets can earn up to $88,090 or more.
Is wind turbine technician a good career for pay?
Yes, especially relative to training time. Wind techs earn a median of $62,580 with typically only a 2-year associate degree or certificate program — compared to the 4–5 year apprenticeship required for electricians and plumbers, who earn similar median salaries. Add in 50% projected job growth through 2034 (the fastest of any skilled trade), and the pay-to-training ratio is among the best in the industry.
Which state pays wind turbine technicians the most?
Pennsylvania has the highest median wage for wind turbine technicians at $85,570 per year (BLS, May 2024), followed by New Jersey at $81,920 and New York at $76,970. For metro areas, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA market tops the list at $105,370 — the only market that consistently breaks the $100,000 threshold for this occupation.
How much do wind turbine technicians make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $30.09, according to BLS May 2024 data. Entry-level techs start around $23.61/hr, mid-career techs earn $28–$36/hr, and experienced techs at the 90th percentile earn $42.35/hr. Overtime — common in commissioning and emergency repair work — can push effective hourly compensation significantly higher.
How do wind tech salaries compare to solar installer salaries?
Wind turbine technicians earn significantly more than solar PV installers — a median of $62,580 vs. $51,860 (BLS, May 2024), a gap of about $10,700/year. Both trades have fast-growing job markets (wind at 50% growth; solar at 42% through 2034), but wind tech pay is higher because the work is more physically demanding, involves greater height and safety risk, and typically requires more technical training.
What training do you need to become a wind turbine technician?
Most wind tech positions require a 2-year associate degree or a certificate program from a technical college, typically covering electronics, hydraulics, and mechanical systems. Beyond formal training, employers expect GWO Basic Safety Training (including working at heights and first aid) before putting anyone on a turbine. OEM-specific training from Vestas, GE Vernova, or Siemens Gamesa further increases your employability and starting pay.
Do wind turbine technicians get benefits beyond their salary?
Yes — most full-time wind tech positions with established operators include health insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, per diem allowances for travel and lodging (which can add $5,000–$15,000 to your effective compensation in field-heavy roles), and paid training and certification. Overtime eligibility is also common. These benefits make direct employment significantly more valuable than the base salary alone suggests.
Next Steps
Read our complete guide on how to become a wind turbine technician. This guide walks you through all the aspects of wind turbine technician career path.
Wind turbine technician is one of the most compelling entries into the skilled trades right now — solid pay at $62,580 median, the shortest training path relative to comparable earnings, and the fastest job growth projection (50% through 2034) in the entire trades sector.
If you want to compare this to the full landscape of skilled trade salaries before committing, our highest paying trade jobs guide has updated BLS data across all major trades.
