How Much Do Wind Turbine Technicians Make?
National median $62,580/yr ($30.09/hr)
Wind turbine service technicians earned a median wage of $62,580 a year, or about $30.09 an hour, as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is well above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs, and it comes without a four-year degree. Most techs enter with a one-year certificate or a short postsecondary program plus on-the-job training.
Pay runs from under $49,110 a year for the bottom 10 percent of earners to over $88,090 for the top 10 percent. In hourly terms that is roughly $23.61 to $42.35. Where you land inside that range comes down to experience, the kind of work (utility-scale field service pays more than entry maintenance), how much you travel, and how much overtime you pick up.
The field is also one of the fastest growing in the country. BLS projects employment to grow about 50 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 2,300 openings a year. Strong demand plus a real labor shortage means techs who add certifications and take travel or contract work can push earnings past $90,000, and past $100,000 with heavy overtime.
Pay by experience
Highest-paying paths
Roving techs for third-party service firms earn about $32 to $42 an hour plus a daily per diem of $75 to $150, with lodging and mileage often covered. Total pay commonly lands at $85,000 to $100,000+, in exchange for heavy time on the road.
Major maintenance campaigns, blade repairs, and storm damage mean long weeks. Overtime and call-out pay are the single biggest lever, routinely adding $10,000 to $25,000+ and carrying strong earners past $100,000.
Emerging projects like Vineyard Wind and South Fork pay a premium over onshore work for the harsher conditions, marine safety requirements, and extended rotations. Expect the high end of the scale plus offshore differentials.
California, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, and Colorado tend to post mean wages above the $62,580 national median. Texas has the most jobs by far (3,500+), giving techs there steady work and room to move up.
Rope-access blade repair, high-voltage and commissioning work, hydraulics, and SCADA and controls troubleshooting all pay above general maintenance. These skills push techs toward the $80,000 to $90,000+ range.
How to earn more
- Stack certifications. GWO Basic Safety Training and Basic Technical Training are the baseline. Add rope access (IRATA or SPRAT) to qualify for blade work, which pays a premium.
- Go traveling or contract. Roving and per-diem roles for service firms pay a higher hourly rate plus a daily per diem, lodging, and mileage, often worth $85,000 to $100,000+ a year.
- Chase overtime. Storm season, major outages, and up-tower maintenance campaigns mean long weeks. Overtime and call-out pay are the fastest way to add $10,000 to $25,000+ to your year.
- Specialize. High-voltage, commissioning, gearbox and blade repair, hydraulics, and SCADA and controls troubleshooting all pay more than general maintenance.
- Move up to lead. Lead tech, site lead, and traveling supervisor roles reach the top of the scale, $80,000 to $95,000+ before overtime and per diem.
- Relocate or go offshore. Chasing high-capacity states or the new East Coast offshore projects can raise base pay and add location differentials.
See who's hiring
Browse Wind Turbine Tech jobs with pay shown upfront, or read the full Wind Turbine Tech career guide.
Wind Turbine Tech pay: common questions
How much do wind turbine technicians make?
The median wage was $62,580 a year, or about $30.09 an hour, as of May 2024 (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earned under $49,110 and the highest 10 percent earned over $88,090. With travel, per diem, and overtime, experienced techs can clear $100,000.
Do wind turbine techs make good money?
Yes. The $62,580 median is well above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs, and you can earn it with a one-year certificate instead of a four-year degree. Demand is high, with employment projected to grow about 50 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Can you make $100,000 as a wind turbine technician?
Yes, but not right away. It usually takes a mix of levers: senior or lead-tech base pay, a traveling or contract role with per diem, and heavy overtime during storm and outage season. Offshore work also pays a premium.
How much do wind turbine technicians make per hour?
The median is $30.09 an hour as of May 2024. Most techs earn between about $23.61 an hour at the low end and $42.35 an hour at the high end, before overtime and per diem are added.
What is the highest-paying wind turbine tech job?
Traveling and contract service techs (per diem plus overtime), offshore roles, and commissioning or blade-repair specialists pay the most. Lead tech and site-lead positions top the scale, and the best earners clear $100,000.