Inspects and repairs the giant composite blades of wind turbines, often while hanging from ropes or a platform high above the ground. BLS does not publish separate figures for wind turbine service technicians; it counts them within wind turbine service technician (SOC 49-9081), whose median pay is $64,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 49-9081
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Wind Turbine Blade Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $64,120a year, or $30.83/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $49KTop 10% $92K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +29.5%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+29.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +29.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,50011,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202511.8K
- Projected 203515.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 11.8K Projected 2035 15.3K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school28.7%
- Certificate34.4%
- Some college21.8%
- Associate's15.1%
Highest education held by wind turbine service technicians Segment Value High school 28.7% Certificate 34.4% Some college 21.8% Associate's 15.1%
Also advertised as: Blade Repair Technician, Wind Blade Technician, Composite Blade Technician, Rope Access Blade Technician.
Pay
How much do Wind Turbine Service Technicians make?
Every wind turbine blade technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$64,120
Middle half earn $58,840 to $78,010
- 10th
- $49,230
- 25th
- $58,840
- 75th
- $78,010
- 90th
- $92,460
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,230 |
| 25th | $58,840 |
| Median | $64,120 |
| 75th | $78,010 |
| 90th | $92,460 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $64,120
- Median hourly wage
- $30.83/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $68,980
- People employed
- 9,980
Versus all US occupations
At $64,120, Wind Turbine Service Technicians earn 26% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $13,140 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 5% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $92,460 or more while the bottom 10% earn $49,230, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 39% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
New York posts the highest raw median ($81,330), but once local prices are taken into account Kansas leads at $86,868 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Wind Turbine Service Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $81,330 | $75,361 | 390 |
| 2Kansas | $78,240 | $86,868 | 330 |
| 3California | $77,910 | $70,367 | 400 |
| 4Indiana | $76,680 | $82,161 | 140 |
| 5Washington | $75,880 | $70,907 | 210 |
| 6Iowa | $74,880 | $85,322 | 900 |
| 7Colorado | $74,740 | $72,526 | 410 |
| 8Ohio | $73,880 | $79,634 | 120 |
| 9South Dakota | $73,820 | $83,331 | 180 |
| 10North Dakota | $66,700 | $74,978 | 310 |
Job outlook
Is Wind Turbine Blade Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +29.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | +29.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Wind Turbine Service Technicians to change 29.5% over 2025–2035, roughly 8.4× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,500 openings are projected each year, 12.7% of the 11,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Wind Turbine Blade Technician
Many blade technicians start with a wind technology certificate from a community college or a background in composites, boatbuilding or aerospace repair. Employers commonly require Global Wind Organisation Basic Safety Training, and GWO also publishes a Blade Repair training standard covering composite inspection and repair.
Because much of the work is done on ropes, many technicians also earn rope access certification through SPRAT or IRATA, starting at Level 1 and advancing with logged hours. Blade service companies often hire people with rope access or composite skills and train them on the specific repair procedures each blade manufacturer requires.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as wind turbine service technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate34.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)28.7%
- Some College Courses21.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree15.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 34.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 28.7% |
| Some College Courses | 21.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 15.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Wind Turbine Blade Technician do?
Wind turbine blade technicians inspect and repair the fiberglass and carbon composite blades that capture wind energy. Lightning strikes, erosion from rain and dust, and manufacturing defects all damage blades, and small problems grow into costly failures if they are not fixed.
Technicians reach the blade by rope access, suspended platforms or by working inside the blade itself. They document damage with photos and reports, grind out damaged laminate, rebuild layers with resin and fabric, repair leading-edge erosion, fix lightning protection systems and refinish surfaces. Some also work in factories or repair shops on blades that have been removed from the turbine.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect turbine blades and document damage with photos and reports
- Access blades by rope access, suspended platforms or internal entry
- Grind out damaged composite laminate and prepare surfaces
- Rebuild laminate layers using resin, fiberglass and core materials
- Repair leading-edge erosion and apply protective coatings
- Test and repair blade lightning protection systems
- Follow manufacturer repair instructions and cure schedules
- Rig and inspect ropes, anchors and fall protection equipment
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Blade technicians work at height on wind farms, often in remote rural areas or offshore, and travel for weeks at a time. Work is seasonal and weather dependent, since repairs need dry, calm conditions. The job involves dust, resins and protective respirators, and it calls for strength, stamina and a high comfort level with exposure.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
- Writing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Equipment Maintenance4.0
- Troubleshooting4.0
- Repairing4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Operation and Control3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 4.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 4.0 |
| Repairing | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Facilities management software
- Industrial control software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Wind Turbine Blade Technician?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Wind Turbine Service Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Wind Turbine Blade Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.7
- Investigative4.4
- Enterprising1.8
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Wind Turbine Blade Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
- Management
- Production
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Construction and Extraction
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with wind turbine service technicians highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Wind Turbine Blade Technician$64,120
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Wind Turbine Blade Technician | $64,120 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Wind Turbine Blade Technician appears on
Questions
Wind Turbine Blade Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Wind Turbine Service Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for wind turbine service technicians. It counts them within wind turbine service technician, whose median pay is $64,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $58,840 and $78,010, and the top 10% earn $92,460 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Wind Turbine Blade Technician?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Wind Turbine Service Technicians. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 34.4% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Wind Turbine Blade Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 29.5% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Wind Turbine Blade Technician do?
Wind turbine blade technicians inspect and repair the fiberglass and carbon composite blades that capture wind energy. A typical task: inspect turbine blades and document damage with photos and reports. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Wind Turbine Service Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Wind Turbine Service Technicians are New York ($81,330), Kansas ($78,240), California ($77,910) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Kansas moves to the top at $86,868.
What personality type suits a Wind Turbine Blade Technician?
O*NET scores Wind Turbine Service Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.