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Wind Turbine Technician in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Energy

North Dakota employs 310 wind turbine technicians, with a statewide median of $66,700 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Wind turbine technicians Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $66,700 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,360
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,400
Top earners (90th percentile): $105,330
Employed in North Dakota: 310
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,580 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for wind turbine technicians in major North Dakota markets:

Bismarck: $66,700 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,700 median stretches to roughly $74,944 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow wind turbine technicians employment +44.8%, slower than the +50.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required — regulated by the No North Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training.

North Dakota does not license wind techs.
Complete a wind energy program (North Dakota technical colleges offer them) or employer training.
Earn safety certifications operators require (e.g., GWO) and be comfortable working at height.

Official requirements: No North Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training →

Training in North Dakota

North Dakota is a top wind-energy state — this role has exceptionally strong local demand and a technical-college pipeline.

Where Wind turbine technicians Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota power plants that employ wind turbine technicians include:

Aurora Wind Project — Tioga
Bison 4 Wind Energy Center — New Salem
Bowman Wind — Bowman
Courtenay Wind Farm — Courtenay
Emmons-Logan Wind, LLC — Linton
Burke Wind, LLC — Bowbells

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 North Dakota?

The median wage for wind turbine technicians in North Dakota is $66,700 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,360, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $105,330. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Wind Turbine Technician in North Dakota?

No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required, overseen by the No North Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training. North Dakota does not license wind techs.

Is being a Wind Turbine Technician a good career in North Dakota?

Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.

Which North Dakota metros pay wind turbine technicians the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Bismarck leads at $66,700. 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 North Dakota?

North Dakota projects wind turbine technicians employment to change +44.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9081. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.