Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Pennsylvania

Like most states in the country, Pennsylvania is looking for more sustainable energy production methods. Wind technology is fast becoming one of the most effective and appealing alternatives to consider.

For this reason, wind turbine technicians — the professionals in charge of maintaining and repairing wind turbine components — are in great demand.

Candidates looking to pursue a career in this field in Pennsylvania will find below all the basic information they need to get started. They will also discover educational alternatives, a list of notable training destinations, possible salary projections to look forward to, and the educational and licensing requirements.

How to Become a Wind Turbine T echnician in Pennsylvania

Below are the most critical steps in becoming a successful wind turbine technician in Pennsylvania.

Step 1: Have a High School Diploma or GED

A high school diploma or equivalent is the basic educational requirement to start a career as a wind turbine technician in Pennsylvania. It also helps immensely if candidates develop a fundamental understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics from an early age.

Step 2: Complete an Academic Training Program

Prospective wind turbine technicians in Pennsylvania can receive their training from academic programs organized by community colleges and technical schools. Most of their coursework will cover classroom topics on wind technology and energy generation principles in general.

These programs usually take two years to complete and leave candidates with an associate degree and an opportunity to pursue advanced bachelor’s degree specializations.

Step 3: Complete Training on the Job

In the place of an academic training program, candidates may choose to receive their training exclusively on the job. Getting this opportunity without prior training may be tricky. Still, the most common approach is to receive academic training before spending about a year receiving training on the job as a consolidation.

Step 4: Become Certified

Becoming certified is optional for wind turbine technicians in Pennsylvania, yet most professionals in the state opt to become certified. They do so because certification offers several benefits, including professional networking and continuing education.

However, the most important reason to become certified as a professional wind turbine technician is that certification makes professionals in the field more hirable.

Step 5: Secure Employment

Lastly, candidates may leverage their certification and education to create a solid resume and apply for jobs. Companies to consider include power generation companies, equipment manufacturers, wholesalers, and communications companies.

Explore other trades with similar paths:

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

As mentioned above, aspiring wind turbine technicians in Pennsylvania are not required to obtain certification or licensure after completing their training. They may do so simply on their own accord, for personal and professional gain.

NABCEP – the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners – offers renewable energy credentials for professionals nationwide. Wind turbine technicians in Pennsylvania may apply for these credentials to receive a valid and highly respected professional certification.

The Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) also offers a similar professional credential for electrical workers, which is held in equally high esteem.

Additionally, certifications from organizations like GWO (Global Wind Organisation) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) are highly valuable for demonstrating safety and operational proficiency in the wind energy industry.

Top Wind Turbine Technician Schools in Pennsylvania

The following are some of the top wind turbine technician schools in Pennsylvania;

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford, and Villanova University programs.

Explore wind turbine technician schools by city:

• Wind turbine technician schools in Philadelphia​​​​​​

Salary & Career Outlook

According to Indeed, the average wind turbine technician in Pennsylvania earns an annual salary of $73,100 – 14% more than the national average. At the same time, the highest-paid individuals make an average of around $170,523 per year. Those among the lowest-paid manage an average yearly salary of at least $49,731.

Wind turbine technicians in the state looking to scale up their earnings may consider optimizing factors such as location, specialty, employment establishment, and experience.

As for the most notable locations to be a wind turbine technician in Pennsylvania, they include Meyersdale, PA, with an annual average salary of $92,431; Philadelphia, with an annual average salary of $104,619; and Forest City, with an annual average salary of $92,431.

In addition to the base salary, the wind techs on the move receive a per diem allowance. This allowance varies based on the employee’s location and is added to the yearly salary.