Wind Turbine Technician
Climb tall. Wind Turbine Techs service the turbines that generate clean power on wind farms — onshore and offshore. The fastest-growing skilled trade in the country, with BLS projecting 60% job growth through 2034.
Wind Turbine Technician goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Wind Turbine Technician trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Wind Turbine Techs climb 250-foot+ towers, work in nacelle compartments, and maintain the turbine equipment — gearboxes, generators, blades, electrical systems. The work is physical, weather-exposed, and dangerous when done wrong. GWO safety training is mandatory.
Specializations diverge by location. Onshore Wind Techs work farms in Texas, the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic. Offshore Wind Techs work the new Atlantic offshore farms — Virginia's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project (CVOW) is the largest in the U.S. and is being built right now. Blade Technicians specialize in blade repair from rope-access — premium pay.
Most wind techs work for OEM service providers (GE Renewable Energy, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa) or independent service contractors. The trade pays well, has reliable hiring, and is one of the most veteran-friendly in skilled work.
How you move up as a Wind Turbine Tech
GWO (Global Wind Organisation) Basic Safety Training is the universal entry credential — required by every major operator. ETA International also issues wind-specific credentials. BLS OES 49-9081, May 2024.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Wind Turbine Technicians earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Wind Turbine Technician trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Wind Turbine Technician trade
Wind Tech Tech School
Specialty wind-tech programs at NoVA CC and Wake Tech. Or specialty schools (Cloud County CC in Kansas, Iowa Lakes CC). Most include GWO BST training.
OEM Direct-Hire Programs
GE Renewable Energy, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa hire directly into structured training programs. Veterans actively recruited.
GWO BST + BTT Sequence
GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) is the entry; Basic Technical Training (BTT) builds up. Manufacturer-specific training (Vestas Authorized Service Provider, GE Wind) layers on top. GWO →
Certifications that help
GWO BST, BTT, BR (Blade Repair), Sea Survival (offshore), SPRAT/IRATA rope-access certification, NFPA 70E, manufacturer certifications (Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa, Nordex).
Common pathways into Wind Turbine Technician work
KinTrades welcomes Wind Turbine Technician workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Wind Tech is among the most veteran-friendly skilled trades — the industry has a public commitment to hiring transitioning service members. Navy EM (Electrician's Mate), Air Force 3E0X1 Electrical Systems, and Army 91D Power Generation Equipment Repairer all bring relevant skills. The DOE-funded Solar Ready Vets Fellowship (run by IREC) places transitioning service members into renewable-energy roles including wind. The GI Bill covers GWO certifications and tech-school programs.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Wind tech requires 6-12 months of post-HS training (CC certificate or specialty school) before hire. GWO BST is required and runs about 5 days.
Most operators recruit recent CC grads.
FastForward VA covers tuition.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Wind tech work is less restrictive than power plant work but still subject to OSHA-mandated drug testing because of climbing and electrical safety.
Most operators hire on demonstrated skill and physical readiness for tower climbing.
Federal offshore-wind projects require security screening for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) lease areas.
Second-chance hiringIf Wind Turbine Technician interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Wind Turbine Technician
What does a Wind Turbine Technician do?
Wind Turbine Techs climb 250-foot+ towers, work in nacelle compartments, and maintain the turbine equipment — gearboxes, generators, blades, electrical systems. The work is physical, weather-exposed, and dangerous when done wrong. GWO safety training is mandatory.
What does a Wind Turbine Technician make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Wind Turbine Technicians earn an annual median of $62K in Virginia (range $48K–$82K), $70K in DC ($54K–$92K), $66K in Maryland ($50K–$86K), and $58K in North Carolina ($44K–$76K).
How do you become a Wind Turbine Technician?
Wind Tech Tech School: Specialty wind-tech programs at NoVA CC and Wake Tech. Or specialty schools (Cloud County CC in Kansas, Iowa Lakes CC). Most include GWO BST training.
How long is Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
1-2 years to journey-level wind tech. GWO (Global Wind Organisation) Basic Safety Training is the universal entry credential — required by every major operator. ETA International also issues wind-specific credentials.
Is Wind Turbine Technician a good career path for someone with a record?
Wind tech work is less restrictive than power plant work but still subject to OSHA-mandated drug testing because of climbing and electrical safety. Most operators hire on demonstrated skill and physical readiness for tower climbing. Federal offshore-wind projects require security screening for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) lease areas.