How much do wind turbine technicians make in 2026?
Wind turbine technicians earned a national median of $64,120 a year ($30.83/hr) in the latest federal wage data available (BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates). BLS counts about 9,980 people employed in this occupation in the U.S.
Annual and hourly wages, all U.S. industries. Occupation used: Wind Turbine Service Technicians (SOC 49-9081). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What the percentiles mean
The median is the middle: half of wind turbine technicians earned more and half earned less. The 25th–75th percentile range ($58,840–$78,010) is what the middle half of workers earned. Newer workers and apprentices tend to be near the low end, and experienced, licensed or specialized workers near the high end. BLS does not publish pay by years of experience, so treat any experience-based number as an estimate.
Wind turbine technicians pay by state
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. "Not published" means BLS did not release that estimate (too few survey responses, or not enough workers to publish).
| State | Median / yr | Median / hr | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Alaska | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Arizona | $66,330 | $31.89 | $51,240 | $92,700 | 80 |
| Arkansas | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| California | $77,910 | $37.46 | $59,980 | $114,270 | 400 |
| Colorado | $74,740 | $35.94 | $57,370 | $99,650 | 410 |
| Connecticut | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Delaware | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| District of Columbia | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Florida | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Georgia | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Hawaii | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Idaho | $60,810 | $29.24 | $56,890 | $82,160 | 40 |
| Illinois | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Indiana | $76,680 | $36.87 | $56,470 | $82,250 | 140 |
| Iowa | $74,880 | $36.00 | $57,630 | $100,410 | 900 |
| Kansas | $78,240 | $37.62 | $42,920 | $94,470 | 330 |
| Kentucky | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Louisiana | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Maine | $59,220 | $28.47 | $53,290 | $78,980 | 50 |
| Maryland | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Massachusetts | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Michigan | $62,800 | $30.19 | $51,260 | $92,460 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $65,000 | $31.25 | $59,010 | $93,890 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $50,040 | $24.06 | $47,130 | $62,590 | 30 |
| Missouri | $65,230 | $31.36 | $56,410 | $86,390 | 80 |
| Montana | $62,360 | $29.98 | $61,160 | $93,430 | 40 |
| Nebraska | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Nevada | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| New Hampshire | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| New Jersey | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| New Mexico | $57,230 | $27.51 | $48,760 | $79,400 | 330 |
| New York | $81,330 | $39.10 | $57,280 | $97,190 | 390 |
| North Carolina | $66,380 | $31.91 | $60,730 | $98,410 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $66,700 | $32.07 | $51,360 | $105,330 | 310 |
| Ohio | $73,880 | $35.52 | $47,880 | $95,050 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $59,290 | $28.51 | $45,270 | $74,080 | 340 |
| Oregon | $61,820 | $29.72 | $42,630 | $87,510 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,830 | $29.25 | $48,030 | $87,950 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| South Carolina | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| South Dakota | $73,820 | $35.49 | $46,350 | $79,300 | 180 |
| Tennessee | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Texas | $61,950 | $29.79 | $48,830 | $78,280 | 3,890 |
| Utah | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Vermont | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Virginia | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Washington | $75,880 | $36.48 | $60,730 | $85,810 | 210 |
| West Virginia | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Wisconsin | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Wyoming | $62,830 | $30.21 | $60,150 | $96,820 | 90 |
| Puerto Rico | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
How to earn more as a wind turbine technician
- Complete a wind technician certificate or associate program, or come in with electrical or mechanical experience.
- Get GWO (Global Wind Organisation) safety training. Employers often require it before you climb.
- Travel jobs and commissioning crews often add per diem and overtime.
- Build skills in electrical troubleshooting, hydraulics and SCADA to move up to lead tech or site supervisor.
- Pay varies a lot by state, so compare the state rows below before relocating.
Find wind turbine technician work
Employer posts on Outwork always show first. Partner listings are labeled. Apply free; no account needed.
FAQ
How much do wind turbine technicians make an hour?
The national median wage for Wind Turbine Service Technicians (SOC 49-9081) was $30.83 an hour, or $64,120 a year, in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. Half earned more and half earned less.
What do the highest-paid wind turbine technicians earn?
The top 10% earned at least $92,460 a year ($44.45/hr). The bottom 10% earned less than $49,230 ($23.67/hr).
Which states pay wind turbine technicians the most?
By median annual wage in the BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates: New York ($81,330); Kansas ($78,240); California ($77,910). Living costs differ by state, too.
Where do these numbers come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9081 (Wind Turbine Service Technicians). They cover wage and salary workers in all industries, not the self-employed, and are not broken out by experience.
Source and method
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Files oesm25nat and oesm25st from bls.gov, downloaded Nov 8, 2026. Occupation: Wind Turbine Service Technicians (SOC 49-9081), cross-industry, all ownerships. OEWS wages are straight-time gross pay: they include commissions, production bonuses, tips and on-call pay, and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. Annual wages are generally the hourly wage times 2,080 hours. "Not published" = estimate not released by BLS. BLS occupation profile · All pay guides