Solar Technician vs. Wind Turbine Technician: Which Career Is Right for You?
Quick answer: Wind turbine technicians out-earn solar installers, with a median of $64,120 a year versus $53,140 for solar (BLS, May 2025). Solar has more total jobs and more annual openings, while wind pays more but asks you to climb towers over 200 feet. Pick solar if you want broad demand and prefer rooftop and ground-level work; pick wind if you want higher pay and are comfortable working at extreme heights.
Choosing between a career as a solar technician and a wind turbine technician is one of the most common decisions people face when entering the skilled trades. Both are solid, in-demand careers, but they differ in pay, work environment, training requirements, and long-term outlook.
This guide breaks down the key differences using current Bureau of Labor Statistics data so you can make an informed decision.
Solar Technician vs. Wind Turbine Technician at a Glance
| Category | Solar Technician | Wind Turbine Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $53,140 | $64,120 |
| Median Hourly | $25.55 | $30.83 |
| Entry-Level Pay (10th %) | $41,600 | $49,230 |
| Experienced Pay (90th %) | $79,970 | $92,460 |
| Total Employed | 31,350 | 9,980 |
| Job Growth (2024-2034) | 42.1% (much faster than average) | 49.9% (much faster than average) |
| Annual Job Openings | 4,100 | 2,300 |
| Typical Training | 1 to 2 years (trade school or certificate program) | 6 months to 2 years (certificate or associate degree) |
| Work Setting | Rooftops, solar farms, residential and commercial sites | Wind farms, onshore and offshore turbine sites |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); Employment Projections (2024-2034).
Salary Comparison
Wind turbine technicians earn a higher median salary, about $10,980 more per year than solar installers.
Here is how pay compares across the range (BLS, May 2025):
| Pay Level | Solar Technician | Wind Turbine Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $41,600 | $49,230 |
| Median | $53,140 | $64,120 |
| Median Hourly | $25.55 | $30.83 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $79,970 | $92,460 |
Keep in mind that pay varies by state, metro area, union membership, specialization, and overtime. Both trades frequently offer overtime opportunities that can push annual earnings well above the median.
Job Outlook and Demand
Wind turbine technician jobs are projected to grow faster, 49.9% versus 42.1%, through 2034.
| Metric | Solar Technician | Wind Turbine Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | 31,350 | 9,980 |
| Projected Growth | 42.1% | 49.9% |
| Annual Openings | 4,100 | 2,300 |
Annual openings include positions created by workers retiring, changing careers, or moving into supervisory roles. With 4,100 openings per year for solar technicians and 2,300 for wind turbine technicians, both fields offer strong hiring prospects. Solar is the larger field by headcount, so there are more positions to compete for overall.
Training and Education
Solar Technician: A solar installation training program plus OSHA certification. Training typically takes 1 to 2 years through a trade school or certificate program. Key certifications include the NABCEP PV Installation Professional credential and OSHA 10 or OSHA 30.
Wind Turbine Technician: A wind energy training program plus GWO safety certifications. Training typically takes 6 months to 2 years through a certificate or associate degree. Key certifications include GWO Basic Safety, OSHA, and manufacturer-specific training from Vestas, GE, or Siemens Gamesa.
Both careers require hands-on training, and most employers expect you to hold safety certifications before you can work independently.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Solar Technician: Solar technicians typically work on rooftops, solar farms, and residential and commercial sites. Physical demands include rooftop work, heavy lifting, and outdoor exposure to heat and heights.
Wind Turbine Technician: Wind turbine technicians typically work at wind farms on onshore and offshore turbine sites. Physical demands include climbing towers over 200 feet and working at extreme heights in harsh weather.
Career Advancement
Solar Technician: The typical career path goes from installer to lead installer, project manager, and eventually solar business owner.
Wind Turbine Technician: The typical career path goes from trainee to wind tech I, II, and III, then lead tech and site supervisor.
Both careers offer a path to self-employment. Experienced solar technicians and wind turbine technicians often start their own contracting businesses, which can significantly increase earning potential.
Which Career Should You Choose?
Choose Solar Technician if you:
- Want to enter one of the fastest-growing fields in the country
- Are interested in renewable energy and sustainability
- Prefer rooftop and ground-level work over climbing tall towers
- Want a larger field with more total jobs and annual openings
Choose Wind Turbine Technician if you:
- Want the higher median pay of the two trades
- Are comfortable climbing towers over 200 feet
- Do not mind working in cold, windy, and remote conditions
- Want one of the fastest-projected job growth rates in any trade
There is no wrong answer here. Both are respected, well-paying trades with strong demand across the country. Your decision should come down to which type of work interests you more on a daily basis.
Related Resources
- Learn more about becoming a solar technician
- Learn more about becoming a wind turbine technician
- Compare trade salaries nationally
- Find trade schools near you
FAQ
Is solar technician or wind turbine technician a better career?
Both are strong renewable energy careers. Wind turbine technicians earn a higher median salary, $64,120 versus $53,140 for solar installers (BLS, May 2025). Solar adds more jobs each year, with about 4,100 annual openings versus 2,300 for wind. The right choice depends on whether you prefer rooftop and ground-level solar work or climbing tall turbine towers.
Do solar technicians or wind turbine technicians make more money?
Wind turbine technicians make more on average. They earn a median of $64,120 a year, about $30.83 an hour, while solar installers earn a median of $53,140, about $25.55 an hour (BLS, May 2025). Top earners in wind reach $92,460 or more, compared with $79,970 for top solar installers.
Which trade is easier to get into?
Both trades are accessible with a high school diploma and do not require a college degree. Solar installation training usually takes 1 to 2 years through a trade school or certificate program. Wind turbine training runs from 6 months to 2 years through a certificate or associate degree. Wind work also requires comfort with heights, since techs climb towers over 200 feet.
Can you switch from solar technician to wind turbine technician?
Yes. Foundational skills such as electrical knowledge, job-site safety, reading schematics, and working with hand and power tools carry over between the two trades. You would need additional training and certifications specific to the new field, such as GWO Basic Safety for wind work.
What is the job outlook for solar and wind technicians?
Both fields are growing much faster than average. Solar installer jobs are projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034, and wind turbine technician jobs are projected to grow 49.9% over the same period (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Solar employs more people overall, about 31,350 versus 9,980 for wind.
What certifications do solar and wind technicians need?
Solar installers commonly pursue the NABCEP PV Installation Professional credential along with OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 safety training. Wind turbine technicians typically complete GWO Basic Safety Training and manufacturer-specific certifications from companies like Vestas, GE, or Siemens Gamesa. Requirements vary by employer and state.
Is solar or wind turbine work more physically demanding?
Both are physically demanding outdoor jobs. Solar installers handle heavy panels, work on rooftops, and face heat and sun exposure. Wind turbine technicians climb towers over 200 feet, often in cold and windy conditions, and work in confined spaces inside the nacelle. Wind work places a heavier emphasis on climbing fitness and tolerance for extreme heights.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.