Ohio · BLS OEWS May 2025
Wind Turbine Technician salary in Ohio: $73,880 median, no degree required
BLS keeps ranking wind turbine technician among the fastest-growing jobs in America, and it does not require a bachelor's degree. In Ohio the median is $73,880, the training is a 1-to-2-year certificate instead of four years of tuition, and our model shows a $386,733 10-year head start over the average college path. The work: climb the tower, troubleshoot electrical and hydraulic systems 300 feet up, keep the blades turning. Not for everyone. For the right person, it is a front-row seat to the energy buildout with a paycheck to match, and the top 10% here clear $95,050.
Reviewed by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman, 20+ years in the field.
Wind Turbine Technician pay in Ohio
BLS OEWS May 2025 · 120 employed
| Wage level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $47,880 | $23.02/hr |
| 25th percentile | $58,620 | $28.18/hr |
| Median wage | $73,880 | $35.52/hr |
| 75th percentile | $81,190 | $39.03/hr |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $95,050 | $45.70/hr |
The 10-year picture
Wind Turbine Technician vs college in Ohio
- Wind Turbine Technician, 10 years in
- $708,174
- cumulative earnings minus training costs
- College path, 10 years in
- $321,441
- avg degree, $37,850 debt, $11,568 interest paid
- Head start
- $386,733
- trade path is in the black by year 1; college by year 6
Cumulative earnings net of education costs and loan interest; taxes and living costs excluded from both paths. Full math and sources on the methodology page.
The apprenticeship
How you get in
Most techs in Ohio start with a wind energy technology certificate or associate program (12 to 24 months), then finish training on the job with a manufacturer or operator. Employers routinely hire before graduation in tight markets. Comfort with heights, rescue training, and electrical fundamentals are the core of it.
Training cost in our model: $12,000. First-year pay near $51,716.
Licensing
What OH requires
No state license; the currency is certifications: GWO safety modules, manufacturer credentials, and electrical safety training. In Ohio, stacking those certs is what moves your rate, and a traveling tech with a strong cert sheet can chase the best-paying sites.
FAQ
Wind Turbine Technician questions, answered straight
How much do wind turbine technicians make in Ohio?
The median wind turbine technician wage in Ohio is $73,880 a year ($35.52/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The top 10% earn $95,050 or more. Entry-level pay starts around $47,880.
Is becoming a wind turbine technician worth it compared to college in Ohio?
On the 10-year math, yes. Our model puts a Ohio wind turbine technician at $708,174 in cumulative net earnings after 10 years, versus $321,441 for the average bachelor's path. That is a $386,733 head start, mostly because you earn while you train instead of paying tuition for four years.
How many wind turbine technicians work in Ohio?
BLS counts 120 employed wind turbine technicians in Ohio as of the May 2025 OEWS survey.
Do wind techs have to travel?
Often, yes. Wind farms are rural, and traveling techs following commissioning work earn more. Site-based operations roles exist too and stay put. Decide which life you want before you pick your first employer.
Is wind turbine technician a good career long term?
The buildout is measured in decades, turbines need maintenance for their whole 20-30 year life, and the skills transfer to substations, solar, and industrial maintenance. It is one of the safer long bets in the trades.
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Same trade, top pay
Other trades in Ohio
- Electrician $64,700
- Plumber $63,330
- HVAC Technician $62,510
- Welder $50,340
- Carpenter $60,810
- Diesel Mechanic $60,470
- Elevator Installer $105,020
- Lineworker $93,150
- Auto Mechanic $48,710
- Aircraft Mechanic $80,570
- Heavy Equipment Operator $64,940
- CDL Truck Driver $59,800
Wind turbine technicians next door
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-9081, 120 employed in Ohio. ROI model assumptions and sources: methodology.