Wind Turbine Technician in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Minnesota employs 450 wind turbine technicians, with a statewide median of $65,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Wind turbine technicians Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $65,000 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $59,010
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $80,120
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $93,890
- Employed in Minnesota
- 450
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,580 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for wind turbine technicians in major Minnesota markets:
- Sioux Falls
- $62,650 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,000 median stretches to roughly $65,923 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)
Minnesota is projected to grow wind turbine technicians employment +57.6%, faster than the +50.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required — regulated by the No Minnesota state license — employer/manufacturer training.
- Minnesota does not license wind techs.
- Complete a wind energy technology certificate/associate (Minnesota State colleges offer them) or employer training.
- Earn safety certifications operators require (e.g., GWO) and be comfortable working at height.
Official requirements: No Minnesota state license — employer/manufacturer training →
Training in Minnesota
Southwestern Minnesota has heavy wind capacity (and Minnesota West has a well-known wind tech program). Strong pay for the training length; expect climbs and some travel.
Where Wind turbine technicians Work in Minnesota
Real Minnesota power plants that employ wind turbine technicians include:
- Nobles 2 Wind Project — Wilmont
- Sherco Solar II — Becker
- Sherco Solar I — Clear Lake
- Freeborn Wind Farm — Glenville
- Fenton Wind Farm — Chandler
- Lakefield Wind Project LLC — Lakefield
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People comfortable with heights, travel, weather, and mechanical systems.
Think twice if: Heights, remote sites, or outdoor work are hard noes.
Why it's resilient: Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.
First Steps
Review wind technician programs and employer training pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do wind turbine technicians make in Minnesota?
The median wage for wind turbine technicians in Minnesota is $65,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $93,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Wind Turbine Technician in Minnesota?
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required, overseen by the No Minnesota state license — employer/manufacturer training. Minnesota does not license wind techs.
Is being a Wind Turbine Technician a good career in Minnesota?
Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.
Which Minnesota metros pay wind turbine technicians the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Sioux Falls leads at $62,650. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Is Wind Turbine Technician a growing career in Minnesota?
Minnesota projects wind turbine technicians employment to change +57.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9081. Licensing summary compiled from the No Minnesota state license — employer/manufacturer training (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Minnesota wages · Minnesota licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.