Career Profile: Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 11,100 people employed as wind turbine service technicians in the United States. The median annual salary is $56,260. Entry level employees earn approximately $46,420 per year and senior employees earn approximately $77,810 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis.
• Inspect or repair fiberglass turbine blades.
• Assist in assembly of individual wind generators or construction of wind farms.
• Operate manufacturing equipment to fabricate wind turbines.
• Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems.
• Test electrical components of wind systems with devices, such as voltage testers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, infrared testers, or fiber optic equipment.
• Start or restart wind turbine generator systems to ensure proper operations.
• Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment.
• Maintain tool and spare parts inventories required for repair, installation, or replacement services.
• Test structures, controls, or mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical systems, according to test plans or in coordination with engineers.
• Train end-users, distributors, installers, or other technicians in wind commissioning, testing, or other technical procedures.
• Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.
• Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems.

Back