Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Machines can already do 10% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 42%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Wind Turbine Service Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 10% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 42% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 9,980 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $64,120 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 78% for contact with people.
- Also called: Field Service Technician, Renewable Energy Technician, Service Technician, Troubleshooting Technician.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems | 30% | 3% to 30% | |
| Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components | 20% | 3% to 30% | |
| Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Test electrical components of wind systems with devices, such as voltage testers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, infrared testers, or fiber optic equipment | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Maintain tool and spare parts inventories required for repair, installation, or replacement services | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Start or restart wind turbine generator systems to ensure proper operations | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Test structures, controls, or mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical systems, according to test plans or in coordination with engineers | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills wind turbine service technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists34% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,770
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,550
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,420
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $57,550
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Wind Turbine Service Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of wind turbine service technicians?
Machines can do 10% of the tasks of wind turbine service technicians today and 42% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9081.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Wind Turbine Service Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/wind-turbine-service-technicians/