Do you want to work in one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States? Do you enjoy a good challenge and don’t mind heights? Consider a career as a wind turbine technician if this describes you. Let’s take a look at what a wind turbine technician performs, where they work, and whether they’re in high demand before we go at what they do.
The technique of generating electricity from the wind, which is a natural occurrence in the earth’s atmosphere, is known as wind energy. When the wind blows by a wind turbine, the blades collect the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it to mechanical energy through rotation. An internal shaft attached to a gearbox located in the nacelle rotates as a result of the revolution. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the gearbox rotates a generator that generates power (AWEA).
The term “wind farm” refers to a large number of wind turbines that are built near together. A wind farm, like a regular power station, distributes its electricity to the grid. Once the wind energy hits the grid, utilities will transfer the electricity to consumers who require power through the power lines.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind turbine technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. Technicians who work on wind turbines often do the following tasks:
- Examine the wind turbine towers from the outside.
- Inspect or repair the blades, gearbox, and generator of wind turbines.
- One to three times a year, perform routine maintenance.
- Computers can be used to diagnose electrical problems.
- Electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems are troubleshooted and tested.
- Repair and replace any worn or broken components.
- Collect and analyze data for testing or study.
One of the fastest growing occupations in the United States is wind turbine technician. Wind turbine technicians, like many other allied health professions, are expected to rise by 61 percent over the next decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for a Wind Turbine Technician is $52,910 (based on May 2019 BLS data), with those with more experience earning up to $80,150. Technicians for wind turbines are also in high demand. One of the fastest growing industries in the United States is clean energy. Although wind energy cannot provide all of the world’s electricity, it is an important part of the total electrical system.
According to the USGS, there are about 57,000 wind turbines in the United States alone, with an additional 3,000 being installed each year. Wind turbine technicians are in high demand due to technological advancements and the need for greener energy. Wind turbine technicians are needed to service the many wind turbines that are being installed across the country. They are built not just on land, but also offshore, similar to oil rigs. Maintenance, monitoring, and repair are required for all wind turbines. This is where you enter the picture.
The number of wind turbines has been increasing across the United States. They can be discovered wherever the air conditioners are working properly and there is plenty of breeze. There are numerous rural wind farms that provide clean electricity to major cities. Texas, Iowa, California, Oklahoma, and Illinois, in descending order, have the most wind turbines. MIAT is an excellent place to learn the ropes as a wind turbine mechanic, with a campus near Houston, Texas.
Technicians for wind turbines mostly work outside and can climb ladders up to 260 feet tall. They put on protective gear and rappel from the nacelle to the blade part that needs to be serviced. Wind turbine specialists may now monitor the performance of wind turbines from afar using a laptop and an Internet connection, thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Most wind turbine technician programs take less than a year to finish. In just seven months, a full-time student at MIAT can become an entry-level wind turbine technician. You will know about wind turbine tools, rigging, welding, AC and DC electrical theory, renewable energy sources, hydraulics, and gears as a graduate of this program. Smaller class sizes and one-on-one attention from industry experts are to be expected. Wind turbine technicians are in high demand, and you want a rewarding profession. It’s a win-win situation.
A career as a wind turbine mechanic may be perfect for you if you can climb high and think quickly on your feet. You’ll spend the majority of your time learning about new technical advancements outside of the office. Is there anything greater than that? After graduating from MIAT’s wind turbine technician program, you can start working in as short as 7 months. Begin a career in a profession that is expanding and will continue to be in demand for decades.
MIAT’s mission is to develop graduates who, as a result of the basic knowledge they obtain at MIAT, are at the top of their initial on-the-job training.
Fill out the form on this page to learn more about Energy Technology career training and to see if MIAT is appropriate for you.
Is it difficult to work as a wind turbine technician?
The wind business is all around you if you live in Abilene, Texas. I was looking for job in a technical profession as a retired Army officer and student at the FAA Airframe and Power Plant Technician School. I learned about a job opportunity with GE at a career fair and applied for a technician position right after.
I worked as a wind technician for four years, and every day was different. I worked on a troubleshooting team, which meant I spent my days as a “industrial detective” trying to figure out what was wrong with the turbines. I’d be assigned to a turbine that was having problems, and I’d spend my time trying to figure out why it wasn’t functioning. There was a lot of climbing and a lot of traveling involved. The work was difficult, but it was also extremely fulfilling and delightful. At Panther Creek in West Texas, where we service 305 turbines, I currently oversee a team of 32 technicians.
On a typical day, I arrive at work around 6:30 a.m. and begin planning my day. We decide what tasks must be completed and who will be assigned to which turbines. We have an environment, health, and safety meeting when the team arrives, we plan for the weather, we discuss special projects, and then the crew is sent out to conduct the day’s job.
Borescope checks, gearbox repairs, blade repairs, and pitch battery change outs are just a few of the special projects available on our site. Working as a site manager necessitates extensive communication with customers to ensure that they are informed about everything that is going on on the job site, as well as the status of maintenance and special projects. Managing a team of specialists also necessitates ensuring that the work is finished completely while adhering to all environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Working as a technician is physically taxing, especially for those over the age of 50. It’s difficult to work long hours, climb turbines several times a day, and deal with high heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Then there’s the mental anguish of working in a demanding management role. We talk about being an industrial athlete a lot in this industry, which means you have to take care of your physical health, well-being, and train your body for the job.
The individuals you get to work with are one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. People that work in the wind sector are dedicated, passionate, helpful, and generally enjoyable to be around. I was fortunate enough to have a fantastic colleague with whom I worked for three years as a troubleshooting technician. We worked as a team on the field, addressing difficult difficulties and keeping an eye out for one another in an industry that is inherently risky.
Furthermore, overcoming challenging problems in the field was quite fulfilling. It’s satisfying to work hard to find an issue and then figure out how to address it. And working in the wind sector allows you to solve those puzzles outside, in the countryside, with your hands, which is a wonderful sensation.
How do you keep up with emerging technologies, such as General Electric’s universal gearbox?
Technicians are frequently called in to assist with the commissioning of new GE technology locations. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the new features available in new units. GE also gives technicians with frequent training to introduce new technologies and techniques.
Being a wind technician necessitates a unique personality. You must be physically capable of coping with the strain that climbing the turbine places on your body, as well as mentally capable of overcoming technical hurdles on the apparatus. There is also a great deal of danger. GE has a number of policies in place to keep employees safe. They do their best, but the technicians in the field are the ones who live it every day and must enforce safe work procedures.
What advice would you provide to new wind technicians or those seeking a career in the field?
I’d tell them that it’s a tremendously gratifying and pleasurable career. Give it your best shot if you think it’s right for you. Internship programs, such as those offered by GE, are a terrific way to test the waters and get a taste of what your career or employment would entail.
Despite the fact that the wind industry is evolving, I do not believe it will vanish or be forgotten. Wind power, in my opinion, is here to stay. WPE
Work Environment
Technicians that operate on wind turbines are usually found working outside, in cramped areas, and at tremendous heights. Although the majority of windtechs work full-time, they may be required to respond to emergencies on weekends and evenings.
Job Outlook
Wind turbine technicians’ employment is expected to expand by 68 percent between 2020 and 2030, substantially faster than the national average.
Over the next ten years, an average of 1,400 openings for wind turbine technicians are expected.
Many of those positions are projected to arise as a result of the need to replace people who change occupations or leave the workforce for other reasons, such as retirement.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Additional resources, such as O*NET, a database of key characteristics of workers and vocations, might help you learn more about wind turbine technicians.
How long does it take to get a wind turbine certification?
The majority of wind turbine service technicians receive their education in a technical school. After completing a two-year technical program, employers often provide 12 months of on-the-job training.
Are the technicians who work on wind turbines content?
Technicians who work on wind turbines gave their pay a 3.8/5 rating. The majority of wind turbine service professionals are satisfied with their pay, with only a handful expressing dissatisfaction with their earnings.
Is wind energy a viable career option?
Wind energy is one of the most rapidly expanding job areas in the United States. In the United States, wind energy output has exceeded coal, and the job sector is expanding. Jobs in the renewable energy sector pay well.
What are the requirements for becoming a wind turbine technician?
You’ll need the following items:
- the ability to operate, maintain, and repair tools and equipment
- engineering science and technology knowledge
- ability to solve problems
- to be thorough and give close attention to the smallest of details
- ability to maintain or repair devices or systems
- computer operating systems, hardware, and software knowledge
- mathematic knowledge
- the ability to collaborate effectively with others
- should be able to successfully utilize a computer and the major software programs
Interpersonal Relationships
- Have a high social interaction level. Throughout the day, they communicate with managers and other technicians.
- They bear a significant amount of responsibility for the health and safety of others.
- Are a little bit in charge of the work of other technicians.
- Make it a habit to send e-mails on a daily basis. They write letters and memos as well, but they do it less regularly.
- Work as part of a team of engineers and technicians.
Physical Work Conditions
- When working, always put on necessary safety equipment. This could include, among other things, hard hats and safety harnesses.
- Climb to new heights on a regular basis.
- On a daily basis, they are exposed to hazardous circumstances, equipment, and scenarios.
- Work both indoors and out, but spend the most of your time outside repairing turbines.
- To reach cramped work spaces, they must frequently go into unusual positions.
- Depending on the weather, they are frequently exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
- Work in noisy or distracting environments on occasion.
- Contaminants are sometimes present.
- Depending on the weather and the time of day, you may have to operate in extremely bright or dim illumination.
- Work in close proximity to others, within a few feet.
- By car, truck, or van, get to the turbines and work sites.
Work Performance
- When it comes to repairing turbines, precision is required. Errors can endanger other personnel and diminish turbine efficiency.
- Most days, do the same physical exercises.
- To repair or maintain turbines, you must satisfy weekly deadlines.
- Most decisions can be made without consulting a supervisor beforehand. They may have to act swiftly if they are literally on a turbine.
- Make judgments that have an impact on their company’s reputation on a regular basis.
- Maintenance schedules and essential repairs guide their daily work and goals.
How much do climbers of wind turbines earn?
In the United States, the average hourly salary for Sky Climber Renewables Wind Turbine Technicians is $17.98, which is 18% less than the national average.
Salary data is based on 383 data points gathered from employees, users, and historical and present job adverts on Indeed during the last 36 months.
Please keep in mind that all pay amounts are estimates based on Indeed submissions from third parties. These numbers are provided to Indeed users solely for the purpose of making broad comparisons. The minimum pay varies by jurisdiction, therefore you should check with your company for exact income figures.
What is the best way for me to get started working on a wind turbine?
To become a wind turbine technician, follow the steps outlined below:
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Research various technical schools and community colleges
If you want to be a wind turbine mechanic after you graduate from high school, you should start looking into technical institutions and community colleges. Only a few institutions provide particular wind turbine programs, which is why you should conduct thorough research to identify which schools offer the courses you require.
Attend and graduate from a school with an accredited program
Once you’ve chosen on a school, you may begin taking the appropriate coursework to earn your wind turbine technology certificate or Associate of Applied Science degree. You will participate in both lectures and hands-on experience outside of the classroom in your classes. Many programs provide fieldwork opportunities as you learn about the many components of a wind turbine and how to install or repair them.
You could also study the following coursework and subjects:
Participate in on-the-job training
For the first several months of training, trainees generally shadow professional wind turbine technicians. After completing your training, you will be able to install, repair, and maintain wind turbines on your own with little supervision.
Join an apprenticeship
Although apprenticeships are not needed, some wind turbine technicians choose to do so in order to learn more about the job’s obligations and duties. An apprenticeship can teach you a variety of mechanical repair techniques that are utilized on different types of wind turbines. An apprenticeship can also be a terrific method to show off your advanced knowledge and skills on your resume.
Apprenticeships frequently require specific requirements in order to join. The following are some of the most typical requirements for applying for an apprenticeship:
Receive your certification
It isn’t necessary to obtain a wind turbine technician certification, but it can impress employers when they see it on a rsum. Depending on the type of wind turbine technician job you want, you can get a variety of credentials. Certifications are also available in subjects including tower climbing, self-rescue, and electrical safety.
You can look up what certifications are required for a given wind turbine technician job by doing some research. These certificates can be listed on your resume to demonstrate your commitment to staying safe on the job. This may impress hiring managers because it demonstrates your dedication and professionalism to the job.
Search for wind turbine technician job opportunities and build your resume
You can put your experience and certifications as a wind turbine technician on your resume once you’ve obtained them. Start by looking for wind turbine technician jobs online and writing down the job descriptions that appeal to you.
After that, you may start tailoring your CV to match the details in the job posting. On your resume, try to highlight the talents listed in the job posting. Use your apprenticeship or training to highlight your work experience’s duties. If at all possible, be explicit and detailed with your details.