Wind Turbine Technician Career Assessment
Maintaining wind turbines high above the prairie
Welcome
Wind turbine technicians ("wind techs") climb and repair the giant wind turbines found across North Dakota.
This is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the state. You will explore whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Wind Turbine Technician?
A wind turbine technician inspects, maintains, and repairs wind turbines. They climb towers that can be 300 feet tall, work on gearboxes, generators, and electrical systems, and use computers to monitor turbine performance.
The Reality: You will climb very tall towers, often in wind and cold, and work in tight spaces at the top. Heights are part of every day. This job is not for people who are afraid of heights.
Your Responsibilities:
- Climb turbine towers using safety gear
- Inspect and maintain gearboxes, generators, and blades
- Troubleshoot electrical and hydraulic systems
- Use computers to monitor turbines
- Replace parts
- Follow strict safety rules
- Keep maintenance records
- Work as part of a two-person or larger crew
You keep clean energy flowing across North Dakota.
A Day in the Life
7:00 AM — Safety meeting at the wind farm office. Check weather and wind speed.
7:45 AM — Drive to a turbine. Put on your harness and safety gear.
8:00 AM — Climb the tower (or ride the lift if it has one).
8:45 AM — At the top: inspect the gearbox and change filters.
11:30 AM — Lunch in the nacelle (the housing at the top).
12:30 PM — Troubleshoot an error code with your laptop.
3:00 PM — Climb down. Write up your work.
4:30 PM — Head back to the office.
Physical, technical work high above the ground.
Training in North Dakota
No state license is required. Most techs complete a 1–2 year wind energy program. Safety training (GWO) is expected.
Training Pathways:
- Associate degree (2 years): Electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic training plus climbing.
- Certificate (about 1 year): A faster start.
- On-the-job training: Some companies hire people with electrical or mechanical backgrounds and train them.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- Lake Region State College (Devils Lake) — Wind Energy Technician, AAS (60 credits) or certificate (33 credits); ND's first wind energy technician program
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Energy Services & Renewable Technician, AAS or certificate (wind turbine systems, PLCs, SCADA)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Must be comfortable with heights and climbing. Physical fitness. A valid driver's license. Drug testing is common.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
No state license. Safety training is expected. Employers want GWO safety training.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- GWO Basic Safety Training — Working at Heights, Manual Handling, First Aid, Fire Awareness
- CPR/First Aid
- Electrical safety training
The Exams: GWO training is about 4–5 days of hands-on classes.
Cost: Varies by training center. Many employers pay for it.
Keeping It Current: GWO training must be refreshed every 2 years.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Wind Turbine Service Technician Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $24.69–$27.60/hour ($51,360–$57,410/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $32.07/hour ($66,700/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $38.17–$50.64/hour ($79,400–$105,330/year)
What that means: ND pay is above the national median. Travel techs often earn more.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 290 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 410 (about 45% growth). Expect about 40 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 50% growth — much faster than average.
Outlook: Excellent. One of the fastest-growing jobs in ND, with about 40 openings a year as more wind farms are built.
Who Hires in ND: Wind farm owners and operators, utilities, and wind maintenance service companies.
Work Setting: Outdoors at wind farms in rural ND. Work stops in high winds and storms. Some jobs require travel.
Physical Demands: Very high. Climbing tall towers, working at heights, confined spaces, carrying tools, and cold, windy weather.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 49-9081); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Lead Technician — Lead a crew.
Path 2: Site Manager — Run a wind farm.
Path 3: Blade Repair Specialist — Specialize in blade repair (rope access).
Path 4: Electrical Specialist — Focus on high-voltage systems.
Path 5: Travel Tech — Work at sites across the country.
Path 6: Trainer — Teach safety and skills.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- One of the fastest-growing jobs
- Short training
- Good pay
- Clean energy work
- Amazing views
- Mix of mechanical and electrical
What's Hard:
- Heights every day
- Climbing is physically hard
- Cold, windy weather
- Confined spaces
- Remote rural locations
- Some travel
- Drug testing
Be Honest: Are you comfortable with heights? Are you physically fit enough to climb 300 feet? Can you work in cold and wind in rural areas?