Who Earns What

How much does a wind turbine tech make?

US Wind Turbine Service Technicians
$64,120

a year · about $31 an hour

A typical wind turbine tech in the United States makes $64,120 a year, about $31 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They check turbine alerts, then climb a tower in a safety harness to inspect the nacelle, lubricate parts, or troubleshoot electrical and mechanical faults. They use tools and a computer, record what they find, and arrange repairs.

Did you know? When a turbine blade needs repair, a U.S. wind tech may rappel on a rope from the nacelle to reach the damaged section.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$64,120
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $49,230 and $92,460
48 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

In the United States, finish high school, then usually study wind energy at a technical school or community college for a certificate or associate degree. Employers train new hires on their turbine models; safety, climbing, or self-rescue certificates are not required for the occupation.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, pay can differ with experience, safety or technical credentials, the employer or industry, and the wind farm’s location. More complex repairs or greater responsibility can also mean higher pay.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in New York ($81,330), lowest in Mississippi ($50,040).

See every state
Whole US$64,120
New York$81,330
Kansas$78,240
California$77,910
Indiana$76,680
Washington$75,880
Maine$59,220
New Mexico$57,230
Mississippi$50,040

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Wind turbine tech pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$49,230$64,120$92,460about 10,000
States where wind turbine techs earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
New York$81,330about 390
Kansas$78,240about 330
California$77,910about 400
Indiana$76,680about 140
Washington$75,880about 210

Official definition: Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

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Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY