Wind Turbine Technician in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Montana employs 40 wind turbine technicians, with a statewide median of $62,360 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Wind turbine technicians Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $62,360 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $61,160
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $79,590
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $93,430
- Employed in Montana
- 40
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,580 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,360 median stretches to roughly $65,920 in national buying-power terms.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required — regulated by the No Montana state license — employer/manufacturer training.
- Montana does not license wind techs.
- Complete a wind/renewable energy program or employer training.
- Earn safety certifications operators require (e.g., GWO) and be comfortable working at height.
Official requirements: No Montana state license — employer/manufacturer training →
Training in Montana
Montana has significant wind capacity, so this role has real local demand. Skills transfer across the region.
Where Wind turbine technicians Work in Montana
Real Montana power plants that employ wind turbine technicians include:
- Clearwater Wind I — Miles City
- Beaver Creek Wind Facility — Big Timber
- Pryor Mountain Wind — Bridger
- Clearwater Wind East — Miles City
- Naturener Rim Rock Energy — Kevin
- Judith Gap Wind Energy Center — Harlowton
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 Montana?
The median wage for wind turbine technicians in Montana is $62,360 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,160, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $93,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Wind Turbine Technician in Montana?
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required, overseen by the No Montana state license — employer/manufacturer training. Montana does not license wind techs.
Is being a Wind Turbine Technician a good career in Montana?
Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9081. Licensing summary compiled from the No Montana 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 Montana wages · Montana licensing/certification source
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.