You’ve probably seen wind turbines while driving across the country. They’re the giant mechanical devices that have spinning blades hundreds of feet up in the air.

These powerful, innovative machines take natural wind power and turn it into energy that powers homes, businesses and industries around the world. To make sure they operate correctly, wind turbine technicians service these machines and their components.

Wind turbine service technicians are one of the fastest growing jobs in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that between 2022 and 2032, the job outlook for these positions is projected to grow 45%.⁶³ That significant growth projection landed this job title tied with nurse practitioners as the fastest growing occupations.

If you’re wondering how to become a wind turbine technician, learn more about what the job entails and how you can train for the profession.¹

What Is a Wind Turbine Technician?

What does a wind turbine technician do, exactly? A typical day on the job as a wind turbine technician might include the following duties:

• Perform routine wind turbine maintenance, like inspecting components and lubricating parts
• Inspect wind turbine towers to make sure they’re in proper working condition
• Climb wind turbine towers to repair equipment
• Troubleshoot and test wind turbine systems, including hydraulic, electrical and mechanical components
• Replace wind turbine parts
• Collect data on wind turbine performance
• Maintain, inspect and fix other systems related to wind turbines, including wind field substations, underground transmission systems, and fiber-optic sensing and control systems

Safety is super important in wind turbine technician work. Wind turbine techs use safety harnesses and must have training in safety procedures. They need to be comfortable climbing up to 300 feet in the air and using hand and power tools, as well as computer equipment, to fix and maintain these awesome machines.

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Some wind turbine service technicians work in the same location. Others meet a traveling wind turbine technician job description and are sent to locations that need help building new turbines. Traveling wind turbine techs might live in one place for a specific amount of time before moving on to a new location.

“I love traveling,” says Heath Barrington, senior project manager at Impact Wind. “It was really fun for me to see places in the country I never would have gone to if I wasn’t working in the industry. If people want to get out of the norm of going into an office and want to see the world, I would say the renewable wind industry is where to go if you’re wanting that adventure.”

Whether you want to plant down roots in a single location or explore the country as a traveling wind turbine tech, jobs are opening in the industry regularly.

How to Prepare for a Wind Turbine Technician Job

Wind turbine technology, like other technology, is constantly evolving. That’s why many employers prefer to hire people who have formal training with wind turbines and are up to date on the latest developments.

According to the BLS, most wind turbine service technicians attend technical school to learn the trade. In wind turbine technical school, you can learn about topics like:

• Energy fundamentals and renewable energy sources
• Safety compliance, OSHA-10 requirements and first aid
• Applied physics
• DC and AC basic electricity and advanced electrical theory
• Wind technology and wind turbine operation
• Climb and rescue

Some employers require a training certificate in wind turbine technology. Once they’re on the job, wind turbine technicians might receive continued training so they can stay current on the latest technology and techniques.

In addition to formal training, wind turbine technician employers look for specific skills that benefit the work. These might include:

• Communication skills
• Mechanical skills
• Physical stamina and strength
• Troubleshooting and analysis skills

If you like working with your hands and want to pursue a job where you can be active throughout the day instead of sitting at a desk, the wind turbine industry could provide this type of work.

What Does a Wind Turbine Technician Career Look Like?

With the proper training and skill set, you may be able to grow a career in the wind turbine technology industry. Because this renewable energy industry is growing so rapidly, there’s also a demand for techs in the industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wind turbine technician salary in the U.S. was $57,320 in May 2022.⁶¹ This means half of wind turbine techs earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

Learn About Wind Turbine Technician Training

You can train for a wind turbine technician career in less than a year in our Wind Technician program. During your training, our Career Services team can help connect you with potential job opportunities that match your interests and desired location or locations.

You’ll be prepared to pursue a career in the wind industry as soon as you complete the program.

Learn about wind turbine training on our program page.

Fill out this form if you’d like an Admissions Representative to contact you with more information on start dates.

Campuses That Offer Wind Technician Training

Wind Turbine training is offered at UTI campuses across the country. Explore them here!