How To Become a Wind Turbine Technician

Key Points

• Wind turbine technicians are responsible for maintaining and servicing wind turbines to ensure they operate correctly, converting wind power into energy for commercial and residential properties. This role includes performing routine maintenance, inspecting components, climbing turbines for repairs, troubleshooting systems and replacing parts.
• The demand for wind technicians is growing—employment is projected to grow 45% from 2022 to 2032, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).⁶³ This makes it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, tied with nurse practitioners.
• To become a wind turbine technician, most candidates attend technical schools to learn the trade, covering topics such as energy fundamentals, safety compliance, electrical theory, wind technology and operation, along with obtaining a training certificate in wind turbine technology.
• Employers in the wind turbine industry look for technicians with specific skills beyond formal training, including strong communication, mechanical skills, physical stamina and troubleshooting abilities.
• The median annual salary for wind turbine technicians in the U.S. was $61,770 in May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).⁶¹ However, salaries can vary based on experience, employer, demand and the cost of living in the area.

You’ve probably seen wind turbines while driving across the country—those giant mechanical devices with blades spinning hundreds of feet up in the air.

These powerful, innovative machines take natural wind power and turn it into energy, which can power 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, employment 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 occupation.

If you’re wondering how to become a wind turbine technician, keep reading to learn more about this career path and how to train to pursue it at Universal Technical Institute (UTI)!¹

What Is a Wind Turbine Technician?

Wind turbine technicians, also sometimes known as wind turbine mechanics, ensure the optimal performance and safety of wind turbines. Their duties include inspecting, diagnosing and fixing technical malfunctions, performing preventative maintenance and monitoring operational performance over time. They also install new wind technology and upgrade existing wind turbines.

How To Prepare for a Wind Turbine Technician Job

Wind turbine technology, like other technologies, 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. And if you want to apply for jobs as a wind technician, it’s a good idea to look into your training options.

Images do not depict a UTI campus.

Step 1: Research wind turbine technician schools

When researching wind turbine technician schools, look for programs that teach theoretical knowledge while offering hands-on training. This practical education is key to understanding wind turbine technology and ensuring safety and efficiency on the job. When evaluating schools, make sure they have the following:

• An industry-aligned curriculum
• Experienced instructors
• Tools and technology used in the field
• Accreditation

Some other important features include support services provided by the school, which can include career services, housing assistance and financial aid—all of which can help you start training for a career and pursue industry opportunities after graduation!¹⁰

Step 2. Enroll in wind turbine technician training

After you’ve done your research and narrowed down your options to one wind turbine technician school, it’s time to enroll. This process typically involves submitting your application, possibly passing an entrance exam and meeting the school’s other admissions requirements. Here are some admissions requirements for UTI’s Wind Turbine Technician program:²³

• Being at least 16 years old at the time of application.
• Submission of at least one of the following documents, which must be accepted by UTI:

Whichever school you choose, pay attention to application deadlines and any prerequisites required for enrollment.

Step 3: Build your resume and practice interviewing

With your training underway, it’s time to prepare for the job market. Even if you haven’t graduated, career advisors at the school of your choice could help you find part-time employment opportunities while you’re enrolled. This is a great way to increase your learning outside of the training lab.

Whether you’re preparing for pre- or post-graduate employment, it’s important to build a compelling resume that highlights your wind turbine technician qualifications, such as technical skills, hands-on training and any relevant coursework or projects. Your resume is the first impression potential employers will have of you, so be sure to clearly detail your capabilities and how they align with the needs of the wind energy sector.

Refining your interviewing skills is equally important. Seek opportunities for mock interviews, preferably with professionals in the field, to gain feedback and increase your confidence. If available, take advantage of employment assistance services to learn how to position yourself as a strong candidate in the renewable energy job market.

Step 4: Graduate and start applying for wind turbine technician jobs

After you graduate, you can pursue a career in the wind energy sector as an entry-level wind turbine service technician. To begin your job search, use your school’s career services to connect with potential employers. When applying for positions, tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific job, emphasizing your skills and hands-on training.

Wind turbine technician qualifications required

Along with having education and experience in the industry, wind turbine technicians need to have a solid understanding of math and science to properly interpret complex technical schematics. Problem-solving skills are also crucial for diagnosing and fixing system malfunctions.

Working with sophisticated machinery also requires wind turbine technicians to understand the technology in their field and have computer skills. Clear and effective communication skills are also necessary so they can explain intricate technical details to their team or provide service updates to clients. Technicians also need good mobility and strength to handle and lift equipment pieces to the turbines.

What Does a Wind Turbine Technician Career Look Like?

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 machines.

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 roots in a single location or explore the country as a traveling wind turbine tech, jobs are opening in the industry!

In fact, wind turbine service technicians rank as the fastest-growing career in the United States (tied with nurse practitioners), according to the BLS. Employment is projected to grow 45% between 2022 and 2032.

Not only that, but according to the BLS, the median annual wind turbine technician salary in the U.S. was $61,770 in May 2023.⁶¹ 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.

FAQs

1. Do you need a degree to become a wind turbine technician?

No, a degree is not strictly required to become a wind turbine technician. Many technicians enter the field with a postsecondary non-degree award, such as a certificate or diploma from a technical or vocational school that offers wind tech training.

2. Is becoming a turbine technician hard?

Becoming a wind turbine technician can be challenging, which is why it’s important to build skills in diagnosing, maintaining and fixing wind turbines, as well as awareness of the accompanying safety protocols.

3. How much do wind turbine technicians make?

According to the BLS, the median annual wind turbine technician salary in the U.S. was $61,770 in May 2023.⁶¹ 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 Turbine 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 or call 1-800-834-7308 if you’d like an Admissions Representative to contact you with more information on start dates. Click this link to sign up today!