Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
South Dakota employs 180 wind turbine technicians, with a statewide median of $73,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Wind turbine technicians Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)
- South Dakota median pay
- $73,820 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $46,350
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $77,960
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $79,300
- Employed in South Dakota
- 180
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,580 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for wind turbine technicians in major South Dakota markets:
- Sioux Falls
- $62,650 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota
Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,820 median stretches to roughly $83,318 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)
South Dakota is projected to grow wind turbine technicians employment +58.3%, faster than the +50.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Dakota License and Certification Requirements
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required — regulated by the No South Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training.
- South Dakota does not license wind techs.
- Complete a wind energy program (Mitchell Technical College has a well-known one) or employer training.
- Earn safety certifications operators require (e.g., GWO) and be comfortable working at height.
Official requirements: No South Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training →
Training in South Dakota
South Dakota is a strong wind-energy state with a respected technical-college pipeline — this role has real local demand.
Where Wind turbine technicians Work in South Dakota
Real South Dakota power plants that employ wind turbine technicians include:
- Dakota Range Wind — Marvin
- Deuel Harvest Wind Energy LLC — Clear Lake
- Triple H Wind Project — Highmore
- Prevailing Wind Park — Lesterville
- Buffalo Ridge II LLC — Elkton
- Crowned Ridge Wind II Energy Center — Watertown
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 South Dakota?
The median wage for wind turbine technicians in South Dakota is $73,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,300. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota?
No state license; safety certifications (e.g., GWO) employer-required, overseen by the No South Dakota state license — employer/manufacturer training. South Dakota does not license wind techs.
Is being a Wind Turbine Technician a good career in South Dakota?
Wind work is physical, site-based, safety-sensitive, and tied to growing energy infrastructure.
Which South Dakota metros pay wind turbine technicians the most?
Among South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
South Dakota projects wind turbine technicians employment to change +58.3% 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), South Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9081. Licensing summary compiled from the No South 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 South Dakota wages · South 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.