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Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Other titles employers use
Field Service Technician · Renewable Energy Technician · Service Technician · Troubleshooting Technician · Wind Farm Support Specialist · Wind Technician · Wind Turbine Operator · Wind Turbine Service Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.5 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.1 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.8 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 56%
- High school or less 29%
- A two-year degree 15%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Project management software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,950
- Job openings each year
- 910
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 63.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 7,950 | 910 | 63.6% |
| Oklahoma | 970 | 110 | 59.0% |
| Iowa | 920 | 100 | 53.3% |
| Kansas | 830 | 90 | 33.9% |
| Minnesota | 540 | 60 | 50.0% |
| Nebraska | 530 | 60 | 65.6% |
| Colorado | 460 | 50 | 39.4% |
| Oregon | 390 | 40 | 34.5% |
| Washington | 360 | 50 | 38.5% |
| North Dakota | 330 | 40 | 37.5% |
| New Mexico | 260 | 30 | 30.0% |
| South Dakota | 240 | 30 | 50.0% |
| Ohio | 230 | 20 | 35.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 210 | 20 | 31.3% |
| North Carolina | 190 | 20 | 35.7% |
| Wyoming | 160 | 20 | 45.5% |
| Arizona | 130 | 10 | 30.0% |
| Rhode Island | 80 | 10 | 60.0% |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 10 | 75.0% |
| Florida | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Idaho | 40 | 10 | 100.0% |
| Alabama | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Texas Tech University
- Degrees each year
- 47
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Ferris State University
- Degrees each year
- 41
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Excelsior University
- Degrees each year
- 32
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Maine Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 30
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
SUNY Buffalo State University
- Degrees each year
- 10
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
University of Tulsa
- Degrees each year
- 10
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Illinois State University
- Degrees each year
- 8
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Central Washington University
- Degrees each year
- 5
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Compare every college offering energy systems maintenance and repair technologies/technicians