What Do Wind Turbine Service Technician Do?
Job Description: Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
A Day in the Life of a Wind Turbine Service Technician
- Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment.
- 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.
- Maintain tool and spare parts inventories required for repair, installation, or replacement services.
- Operate manufacturing equipment to fabricate wind turbines.
- Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis.
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Wind Turbine Service Technician Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Wind Turbine Service Technicians say are important on the job.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Wind Turbine Service Technician
- Windmill Technician
- Senior Wind Turbine Technician
- Wind Power Technician
- Lead Technician
- Windsmith
Wind Turbine Service Technician Employment Estimates
There were about 5,800 jobs for Wind Turbine Service Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 94.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,500 new jobs for Wind Turbine Service Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Wind Turbine Service Technician are Wyoming, Texas, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Arkansas, New Mexico, or Iowa. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Wind Turbine Service Technician Make?
The salary for Wind Turbine Service Technicians ranges between about $37,780 and $83,560 a year.
Wind Turbine Service Technicians who work in West Virginia, Colorado, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Wind Turbine Service Technicians in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $57,770 |
Colorado | $69,070 |
Illinois | $64,180 |
Indiana | $47,730 |
Iowa | $60,960 |
Kansas | $58,190 |
Minnesota | $63,580 |
New Mexico | $48,200 |
New York | $53,820 |
North Dakota | $67,520 |
Oklahoma | $52,200 |
Oregon | $56,940 |
Pennsylvania | $59,860 |
Texas | $55,340 |
Washington | $65,270 |
West Virginia | $78,010 |
Wyoming | $46,140 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Wind Turbine Service Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Computerized diagnostic software
How to Become a Wind Turbine Service Technician
Learn what Wind Turbine Service Technician education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Wind Turbine Service Technician?
Where Wind Turbine Service Technicians Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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