Salary of a Wind Turbine Mechanic
A wind turbine mechanic, also called a wind turbine service technician, or simply a wind technician, performs preventive maintenance and makes repairs and modifications to wind turbine equipment. Some wind turbine mechanics also work in system installation. Most of these technicians make at least $40,000 per year, but some earn much higher salaries. Pay rates for wind turbine mechanics vary by geographic location.
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Salary Range
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The average salary of a wind turbine mechanic in 2011 ranges between $54,230 to $54,350 per year, according to CBSalary, a salary calculator provided by CareerBuilder.com. The total salary range for these mechanics is wide, with those in the middle 50 percent of the earnings scale making $40,890 to $85,560 per year.
Considerations
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Wind turbine mechanics in many states earn a lower average pay rate than the national average. In Iowa, for instance, these workers make about $44,300 per year in 2011. Wind turbine mechanics in Florida earn an annual average salary of about $45,000, in Maine $45,650, in Indiana $47,100, in Virginia $47,200 and in Oregon $50,300.
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Potential
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In contrast, some states have much higher average salaries for wind turbine mechanics. These workers in Alaska, California and New Mexico, for instance, make about $62,500 to $63,500 per year on average. The top 25 percent of wind turbine mechanics in California make more than $98,580 per year, in New Mexico $99,370 and higher, and in Alaska more than $100,000 per year.
Specifics
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The job search website Indeed.com lists job openings for wind turbine technicians in February 2011 paying $15 to $22 per hour. Jobs for entry-level technicians or interns typically have much lower pay rates than those for experienced mechanics. Wind turbine mechanics receive health insurance coverage, paid time off for vacations and personal days, paid holidays and a company-contributed retirement savings plan.
Qualifications
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The Indeed.com job listings indicate that employers of wind turbine mechanics generally require a high school diploma or equivalent, experience with electrical or mechanical work, familiarity with technical drawings and schematics, and the ability to operate certain tools necessary for the job. A wind turbine mechanic also needs a certain level of fitness, as the work is physically demanding, involving some heavy lifting, climbing ladders and being outdoors in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time.
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References
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician U.S. National Average Salary
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician Salary in Iowa
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician Salary in Virginia
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician Salary in Florida
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician Salary in Oregon
- CBSalary: Wind Turbine Service Technician Salary in Indiana
Resources
- Photo Credit Wind Turbine image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
