Wind Turbine Technician in Oregon: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Oregon employs 150 wind turbine technicians, with a statewide median of $61,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.
What Wind turbine technicians Earn in Oregon (May 2025)
- Oregon median pay
- $61,820 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $42,630
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $76,740
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $87,510
- Employed in Oregon
- 150
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,580 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Oregon
Prices in Oregon run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,820 median is worth closer to $59,787 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)
Oregon is projected to grow wind turbine technicians employment +40.2%, slower than the +50.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Oregon License and Certification Requirements
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required — regulated by the No Oregon state license — employer/manufacturer training.
- Oregon does not license wind techs.
- Complete a wind/renewable energy program (Columbia Gorge CC has one) or employer training.
- Earn safety certifications operators require (e.g., GWO) and be comfortable working at height.
Official requirements: No Oregon state license — employer/manufacturer training →
Training in Oregon
Oregon has significant wind capacity in the Columbia River Gorge and eastern Oregon, so this role has real local demand.
Where Wind turbine technicians Work in Oregon
Real Oregon power plants that employ wind turbine technicians include:
- Biglow Canyon Wind Farm — Wasco
- Klondike Windpower III — Wasco
- Horseshoe Bend Wind LLC — Arlington
- South Hurlburt Wind LLC — Arlington
- North Hurlburt Wind LLC — Arlington
- Wheatridge Hybrid — Morrow
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 Oregon?
The median wage for wind turbine technicians in Oregon is $61,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $42,630, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $87,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Wind Turbine Technician in Oregon?
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required, overseen by the No Oregon state license — employer/manufacturer training. Oregon does not license wind techs.
Is being a Wind Turbine Technician a good career in Oregon?
Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.
Is Wind Turbine Technician a growing career in Oregon?
Oregon projects wind turbine technicians employment to change +40.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Oregon statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9081. Licensing summary compiled from the No Oregon 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 Oregon wages · Oregon 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.