Production
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Outlook
- Decline
High school diploma
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operations Monitoring
SOC 49-9081.00Bright outlook
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
Annual pay range
9,980 people work in this occupation.
In short
Wind turbine service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair wind energy equipment, resolving mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues. The career offers a median annual pay of $64,120, with opportunities driven by much faster than average job growth.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.
People in this field spend their days maintaining, inspecting, and repairing wind turbine components. They diagnose malfunctions in mechanical and electronic systems, control machinery, and handle physical objects to keep turbines running safely. The job requires strong skills in equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and complex problem solving. Technicians must use critical thinking to resolve technical faults and monitor operations to ensure safety and efficiency.
This career is a strong fit for individuals with realistic interests who enjoy hands-on, practical tasks. Success in this role relies on knowledge of mechanics, computers, electronics, engineering, and public safety. Technicians must demonstrate work styles such as dependability, cautiousness, attention to detail, and stress tolerance. They must also be highly adaptable and persistent when working in challenging physical environments to keep renewable energy systems functioning properly.
To enter this career, candidates typically need a postsecondary certificate. The occupation requires medium preparation, which is often achieved through vocational training programs, an associate degree, or related technical experience. Students preparing for this field often major in college programs such as heavy or industrial equipment maintenance technologies, energy systems technologies, or energy systems maintenance and repair.
While preparing for employment, individuals can pursue professional credentials to demonstrate their expertise. Relevant certifications for this field include the Small Wind Associate credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, as well as the Small Wind Installer - Level 1 certification offered by ETA International.
In 2025, the median annual pay for wind turbine service technicians was $64,120. Earnings can vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $49,230 and the highest 10% earning more than $92,460.
This field is experiencing rapid expansion. Employment is projected to grow by 29.5% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with the need to replace departing workers, is expected to result in 1,500 job openings each year. Currently, there are 9,980 people employed in this occupation.
Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours
Commissioning Tech (Commissioning Technician) · Energy Technician · Field Service Technician · Offshore Wind Turbine Technician · Onsite Technician (Onsite Tech) · Renewable Energy Specialist · Renewable Energy Technician · Service Technician · Small Wind Energy Installer · Troubleshooter
Career pathway
Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.
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College Scorecard program outcomes
Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.
NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk
Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.
305 colleges offer it
224 colleges offer it
17 colleges offer it
CareerOneStop
What wind turbine service technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Core certifications employers recognise for this work.
Programs of study that prepare people for this work.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Workers in this field are also known as field service technicians, commissioning technicians, energy technicians, or offshore wind turbine technicians. Other common titles include renewable energy specialists, service technicians, and troubleshooters.
Students can prepare by majoring in energy systems technologies or energy systems maintenance and repair. Another highly relevant major is heavy and industrial equipment maintenance technologies.
Daily tasks include repairing and maintaining mechanical and electronic equipment, inspecting structures, and solving complex technical problems. Technicians also operate vehicles and mechanized devices, communicate with supervisors, and perform physically demanding tasks.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Page data updated November 5, 2026.