Wind Energy is Bigger in Texas

• The wind turbine technician profession is growing rapidly, with an increase in job postings of nearly 600% in the past 5 years.

• Most wind turbine technician positions are located in the Central United States: Over a quarter of US job postings in the past 5 years were for positions in Texas.

• Wind turbine technician positions provide well-paying opportunities to workers without a college degree, offering a salary premium of around $10k over other positions with similar degree requirements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that the number of wind turbine technicians will increase by 45% in the next ten years, marking the occupation as one of the fastest growing in the US. This growth reflects the expansion of the wind energy industry both in the US and abroad, due in part to efforts by countries to shift towards more sustainable sources of energy. This week, in collaboration with Bloomberg, we use Revelio Labs' workforce insights to analyze trends in hiring and demand for wind turbine technicians in the US.

Wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind turbines, playing a crucial role in the operation of wind farms. We find that, consistent with predictions of strong growth in the occupation, the number of job postings for wind turbine technicians has increased by nearly 600% in the past five years and has particularly picked up after 2021.

Which states have experienced the largest increases in demand? It seems that Texas leads the US in both demand and hiring: More than 25% of all new wind turbine technician job postings in the US within the past 5 years were based in Texas, as well as more than 20% of incoming hires. Other states in the Central US with a significant presence in the wind industry, such as Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Minnesota, also make the top ten. The open plains and high wind speeds in these states make them optimal locations for wind farms.

The increase in wind turbine technician hiring could contribute to a stronger job market for American blue-collar workers, especially those without a college degree. Revelio Labs find that three-quarters of US wind turbine technician job postings within the past 5 years did not require a post-secondary degree. These jobs may, however, come with other requirements, such as industry-specific certifications, physical fitness, and a willingness to travel and work in remote environments - and, as we show in an analysis covered by the Guardian, they may remain predominantly male.

Finally, how do these jobs compare to other jobs with similar degree requirements? Our workforce insights show that wind turbine technician positions do come at a salary premium - perhaps because of the physical toll, travel requirements, and potentially hazardous working conditions. For high school graduates, job postings for wind turbine technician positions in the past 5 years offered around $10,000 more than job postings in other fields. Thus, the growing demand for wind turbine technicians could lead to an increase in well-paid opportunities for America’s blue-collar workforce, underscoring the importance of these roles in our transition towards greener sources of energy.