The Wind Technician Boom is Here

July 31st, 2008 by Joshua S Hill

Looking for a job? Don’t want to do much in the way of training? Want to help out the environment? You may be the perfect person to become a wind technician! At least, that would definitely seem to be the way of things if the latest news is to be believed.

Apparently, community colleges in North Dakota, among other states, are beginning to train wind turbine technicians; those who are trained in maintaining and repairing those giant wind turbines that make us all that lovely energy.

“The demand (for wind technicians) is such that some (colleges) have been trying to keep companies away from the program because they want everybody to graduate first,” said Christine Real de Azua, a spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association. “In some cases, students are being picked up after only a couple of months.”

According to that same association, there are now more than 25,000 wind turbines out there, with nowhere near enough people to service them.

And apparently, the biggest challenge for the community colleges is getting their students to stay around for the whole course. No, they don’t get tired of it. They get hired!

But beware if you choose the life of a wind technician. It isn’t for everyone, says Dwaine Higgins, who recently graduated from a college training program in Iowa Lakes. “You never know what you may have to deal with,” he said. “When you are 300 feet in the air, it is not always easy to get a hand from another person.”

It comes as no surprise to many of us that new jobs are being created through the use of environmentally friendly processes. And in a day and age where the unemployment rate is crashing through the roof, one would imagine – or at least hope – that such other trends will become evident as the months and years go by, and advances and steps forward are made.

Quotes thanks to MSNBC article ‘Community colleges tap into wind energy boom.’

Image credit: EdTarwinski

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Tags: environmental

About the Author

Joshua S Hill I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Ttnapier

I am currently a student at North west renewable energy institute, NW-REI. I have had a lot of call backs for employment and my training here a MW-REI has prepared me very well. It is just getting your foot in the door, for all the negative things I’ve heard at this site you need to apply yourself to find a job in this field the jobs are not given to you on a silver platter. I’m three weeks away from graduation and feel very confident that I will find a job. Good luck to you all.
- Timothybullock75
  
  do they help you find employment i know i have to do work as well but i mean as leads to jobs do they help i plan on going there withing next few months hopefully
justin

i am just now starting my 2 year degree in wind technology i can not wait to see what the future holds for me i am sure that the demand will increase as the u.s only purduces 2% of its power by wind/green energy, and wants to raise that number to 20% by the year 2030, as for people who bitch about the new guys that have gone to school geting jobs maybe you should start puting in a little more work and look into a 2 year degree, there is alot more to learn in school then just picking it up as you go nothing is easy in life time to step it up. GO Green !
- http://zacharyshahan.com Zachary Shahan
tony

I keep seeing a company called vestas might try looking them up and I hope this helps
Shaun

The problem seems to be that none of the companies are hiring experience. I have been working in the field for about 4 years now and to me, it seems as if the market has dried up or the companies want to hire techs that have degree’s and no experience. I have quite a bit of experience and my training was in the Navy. This article starts off wrong by saying that you need little training. Not to mention people who are accepting these low ball offers are swelling the market with dissatisfied workers. They start out with great spirit, then they find out that others are making quite a bit more than they are. A typical wind tech right now makes around 18-20 an hour for a site tech and 23+ for a traveling tech with per diem. I am getting really tired of these kids going to school for 2 years just to learn the fundamentals of wind, then beating me out for a position I am far better qualified to fill. Brian, if your only making a half dollar raise in three years, I’m sorry but you need to get out of this industry, the last time I was working as a contractor the company gave me 23 an hour.
scott anderson

I graduated at a wind tech school in california called airstreams and took an internship when I graduated. I am from oregon and would like to get going in the field here but I have found it very difficult to get hired. I keep hearing everybody is waiting on the economy to start hiring. Is anybody else seeing this as well? Also, does anybody know of anybody that is hiring? I am willing to travel.
- Brian
  
  HAHAHA 11.00-13.00 per hr in midwest what a rip off , this industry sucks been in it for thee years and have made .50 cent raise , Enxco, vestas all low baller suck , worst managment I have ever seen
  - Michelle
    
    Are you kidding? $11 to $13 an hour. My husband will be attending California Wind Tech and we are crossing our fingers that with enough persistence a good job will be offered. Has anyone got any good experiences with being offered any jobs after training and getting a certificate? We are very concerned because there seems to be a lot of talk about how great the field is, yet when I try to research the jobs out there ?I am not finding a ton of jobs. Does it seem as though the jobs are not being advertised because they go thru the school’s databases to find employees?
    - deepdenim
      
      Michelle… I am considering the California Wind Tech program also. As you mentioned, Wind Tech jobs APPEAR to be scarce by not being advertised through normal channels. From what I am learning, most hiring occurs directly from the schools at graduation. Ask the contact people at CWT which companies hire their graduates. Any legitimate Turbine Technician training school should provide you a CURRENT list of companies who hire their students. As an example, check out the web-site for Northwest Renewable Energy Institute (NW-REI)at: http://www.nw-rei.com. They post a list of companies who hire NW-REI students upon graduation.
  - deepdenim
    
    Brian… Perhaps if you dedicated yourself to improved communication skills and correct sentence structure you could better yourself above a .50 cent raise over three years…
scott anderson

I graduated at a wind tech school in california called airstreams and took an internship when I graduated. I am from oregon and would like to get going in the field here but I have found it very difficult to get hired. I keep hearing everybody is waiting on the economy to start hiring. Is anybody else seeing this as well? Also, does anybody know of anybody that is hiring? I am willing to travel.
- a wynen
  
  go to Palm Springs,ca area. They are expanding with new buildings and are teaching/hiring for Wind Techs.
- Kimhandy
  
  Hey scott my son is looking at the same program there in Tehachapi. How did the program work out for you. Would you reccommend it overall? Where did you end up applying and getting hired?
http://www.californiawindtech.com Wind Turbine

Out where I am those that are working in the wind industry are making around $60,000 to $75,000 per year with benefits. Looks like Texas is paying a little low there Anthony. Maybe the Techs should shop themselves around a little after they get their foot in the door if pay is that low.
http://www.californiawindtech.com Wind Turbine

Out where I am those that are working in the wind industry are making around $60,000 to $75,000 per year with benefits. Looks like Texas is paying a little low there Anthony. Maybe the Techs should shop themselves around a little after they get their foot in the door if pay is that low.
- http://twitter.com/webaddict Joel Mackey
  
  It’s really hard to find hard data on salary figures. I haven’t been able to get specific figures from schools but I finally figured out it’s because each state can vary quite a bit on the amount you are paid. Texas does seem to be one of the lower paying locations in the country. I still am seeing ranges from $25,000 a year to $54,000 a year. A site I put together is one of the most helpful & shows the 2012 salary ranges as an average of all job listings which gives a better idea of what the middle of the road might be in this industry:
  http://thinkgreendegrees.com/wind-turbine-technician-salary-information
  
  I think the biggest hurdle right now for the wind industry is the coming renewal for PTC (Production Tax Credit) at the end of 2012. If this doesn’t go through it could hurt the growth of the wind energy business.
  - Bob_Wallace
    
    This looks good. I hope it gets wide viewing among the wind tech community.
    
    Do you know if there’s a site which advertises open positions?
    
    Seems like a good project for some people working in the industry. A central site for job listings, training programs, etc.
    - http://twitter.com/webaddict Joel Mackey
      
      Hi Bob! I have found a few sites that list jobs that are specific to green but they aren’t always that comprehensive. A few are:
      
      http://www.greenjobs.com
      http://jobs.gwec.net/
      The best way for now is to use job search engines though and get those to send updated jobs daily with really defined searches. You can also build an iGoogle.com search feed on like 20 different searches and have one page that brings in new jobs under all those. Then you have one page to look at every day.
      
      I’m really aiming to make http://thinkgreendegrees.com a one stop shop for all things in green jobs, training & information. I have a long way to go. For now I’m really focused on wind because there is so much potential and I see a lot of misinformation out there on the jobs, pay & things people do on the job.Thanks for your feedback & questions!
  - http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan
    
    looks very useful, thanks! will try to remember too direct people there.
    - http://twitter.com/webaddict Joel Mackey
      
      Thanks Zachary, it’s in development so if there is something you think it should have don’t hesitate to let me know.
Jason G

In response to Brad’s question about a wind technician salary and such, this is what I found;

A wind technician’s job can range from construction to maintenance and repairs on wind turbines. Some sources on AWEA’s web site say that for every 10 wind turbines that are built, 1 new wind tech is needed for maintenance and repair. Reports of what they make vary. Some now report a high hourly salary with a low per diem that totals around $65,000 per year on average in places with higher costs of living. Others report a medium salary with a high per diem that can total north of $75,000 a year. Many employers also issue a company truck for work related duties. As with everything compensation depends on supply and demand from employers, which right now appears to be pretty high and in employee’s favor. If you would like more information you can go to AWEA’s website or look up a good wind technician training program like California Wind Tech or AEI. It looks like there are other jobs in the wind industry in demand now too.
Jason G

In response to Brad’s question about a wind technician salary and such, this is what I found;

A wind technician’s job can range from construction to maintenance and repairs on wind turbines. Some sources on AWEA’s web site say that for every 10 wind turbines that are built, 1 new wind tech is needed for maintenance and repair. Reports of what they make vary. Some now report a high hourly salary with a low per diem that totals around $65,000 per year on average in places with higher costs of living. Others report a medium salary with a high per diem that can total north of $75,000 a year. Many employers also issue a company truck for work related duties. As with everything compensation depends on supply and demand from employers, which right now appears to be pretty high and in employee’s favor. If you would like more information you can go to AWEA’s website or look up a good wind technician training program like California Wind Tech or AEI. It looks like there are other jobs in the wind industry in demand now too.
http://cleantechnica.com Jesse A

I am bout to graduate high school in december and i have been looking into the wind turbine technician degree. you can find school at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/schools_training.asp..
http://cleantechnica.com Jesse A

I am bout to graduate high school in december and i have been looking into the wind turbine technician degree. you can find school at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/schools_training.asp..
eric bickle

Please can anyone tell me who or where to go or contact about wind turbine training, school,864-346-3438 or kennethbickle@yahoo.com
eric bickle

Please can anyone tell me who or where to go or contact about wind turbine training, school,864-346-3438 or kennethbickle@yahoo.com
- tony
  
  I found a good program at pinnacle career school
thomas g

Does anyone know if the companies will still hire you if you have a felony charge against you like dwi. i was laid off from the oilfield after 7 years and clearly there is a future for this industry, however if companies wont hire someone who has a felony such as myself sadly i dont want to spend the money on the associates course they offer and find a good mcdonalds or maybe a walmart greeter job. thanks ahead tg
http://www.windjobs.org David L.

With the new energy bill just passing the House and now going before the Senate, it appears as though the wind industry is really going to take off. If you were thinking about getting into the wind industry, you should do it now, because it going only going to get more crowded.
http://www.windjobs.org David L.

With the new energy bill just passing the House and now going before the Senate, it appears as though the wind industry is really going to take off. If you were thinking about getting into the wind industry, you should do it now, because it going only going to get more crowded.
Alex Sabetta

I have been climbing towers for many years. From building cell sites to installing municipal antennas for state and local communications. I also have a background in the electrical field. My question is how difficult would the transition be from communications to Wind Technician, and is this field booming in the Northeast part of the U.S
Alex Sabetta

I have been climbing towers for many years. From building cell sites to installing municipal antennas for state and local communications. I also have a background in the electrical field. My question is how difficult would the transition be from communications to Wind Technician, and is this field booming in the Northeast part of the U.S
http://www.myspace.com/superfernando911 Anthony

Ive been looking up different aspects of Wind/Energy Technician salaries and lifestyles. Average, technicians with a degree make roughly $40,000 a year. I personally live in Texas and beggining rates have been about 20-25 dollars an hour. As for one person bringing in 40K a year, life is managable and survivable. With the added income of my spouse, I found myself living happily with my work and family. Bills are paid, and we all remain in good health/shape. Yes working on the mills can be dangerous, but thanks to the safety protocols, I haven’t seen or witnessed any accidents.

Oh and also..

Great View XD
http://www.myspace.com/superfernando911 Anthony

Ive been looking up different aspects of Wind/Energy Technician salaries and lifestyles. Average, technicians with a degree make roughly $40,000 a year. I personally live in Texas and beggining rates have been about 20-25 dollars an hour. As for one person bringing in 40K a year, life is managable and survivable. With the added income of my spouse, I found myself living happily with my work and family. Bills are paid, and we all remain in good health/shape. Yes working on the mills can be dangerous, but thanks to the safety protocols, I haven’t seen or witnessed any accidents.

Oh and also..

Great View XD
chad

in texas if you finish the wind energy associates degree, they start you out at about 25 an hour, with a 100 dollar meal per diem. and an average of 50 hours a week.
chad

in texas if you finish the wind energy associates degree, they start you out at about 25 an hour, with a 100 dollar meal per diem. and an average of 50 hours a week.
brad

From the information i have gathered thru out my search i have become very interested in this program! i would like to know how to get involved and where i could start the classes.
brad

From the information i have gathered thru out my search i have become very interested in this program! i would like to know how to get involved and where i could start the classes.
CHRCHLL1

what is the salary range for a wind technician??
CHRCHLL1

what is the salary range for a wind technician??
vincerinchiuso

Where would I go to submit a new idea in the design if a wind turbine? Any help would be appreciated.
vincerinchiuso

Where would I go to submit a new idea in the design if a wind turbine? Any help would be appreciated.
JT

Obama and Democrat’s in general have always been backers of renewable and alternative forms of energy. Government incentives, policy and laws must be in place to support the transistion.

The present Bush admin has been about lining the pockets of big business, using old technology and old ways of making money for the rich, supporting polluting failed, inefficient technology which there buddies have invested in.

Bush and Cheney are fossil fools.
JT

Obama and Democrat’s in general have always been backers of renewable and alternative forms of energy. Government incentives, policy and laws must be in place to support the transistion.

The present Bush admin has been about lining the pockets of big business, using old technology and old ways of making money for the rich, supporting polluting failed, inefficient technology which there buddies have invested in.

Bush and Cheney are fossil fools.
http://atomicinsights.blogspot.com Rod Adams

On challenge that all booming businesses have, especially those with some inherent risks, is ensuring that workers get enough training to save their lives.

It is not only difficult to obtain assistance from others if you are on a crane 300 feet in the air, but it is also a very long way to fall.

The industry is taking steps to ensure that the industry is safe, but the workers have to do their share. Staying in school long enough to ensure they learn all of the safety rules would be a great investment in their future.

http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060404wtsr.html
http://atomicinsights.blogspot.com Rod Adams

On challenge that all booming businesses have, especially those with some inherent risks, is ensuring that workers get enough training to save their lives.

It is not only difficult to obtain assistance from others if you are on a crane 300 feet in the air, but it is also a very long way to fall.

The industry is taking steps to ensure that the industry is safe, but the workers have to do their share. Staying in school long enough to ensure they learn all of the safety rules would be a great investment in their future.

http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060404wtsr.html
Levi Novey

I think this is awesome. It really gives me a positive feeling about what the future holds.
Levi Novey

I think this is awesome. It really gives me a positive feeling about what the future holds.