Career Overview
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Also Known As
- Field Service Technician
- Wind Farm Support Specialist
- Wind Technician
- Wind Turbine Technician
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
- Troubleshooting Technician
- Turbine Technician
- Wind Commissioning Technician
- Wind Energy Mechanic
- Wind Energy Systems Installer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Maintain tool and spare parts inventories required for repair, installation, or replacement services.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Visualization
- Control Precision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Perseverance
- Adaptability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Acid brushes
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Alternating current AC power analyzers
- Amp clamp meters
- Breaker bars
- Claw hammers
- Conventional watt meters
- Cordless drills
- Crane attachments
- Crescent wrenches
- Digital calipers
- Digital dynamometers
- Digital hydrometers
- Digital micrometers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
- Exposed to High Places
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $49,110 |
| Median | $62,580 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $88,090 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 11,220
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $99,670
Wind Energy Operations Managers
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $136,550
Power Plant Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $99,670
Geothermal Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,640
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $51,860
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.