How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota employs about 180 wind turbine technicians earning a median $73,820 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most wind turbine technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in South Dakota.

Compare Wind Turbine Technician Schools in South Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
178.9$7,524$54,86576%Yes*71 mi
263.9$4,844 in-state / $7,087 out-of-state$50,98550%Yes*574 mi
359.3$6,298$49,76852%Yes*316 mi
459.1$5,340 in-state / $12,900 out-of-state$54,20949%Yes*515 mi
559.0$3,540 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state$45,35955%Yes*324 mi
658.5$6,491$52,39052%Yes*192 mi
757.8$4,140 in-state / $5,830 out-of-state$41,50955%Yes*337 mi
852.6$6,214$54,40131%Yes*318 mi
952.4$6,180 in-state / $8,280 out-of-state$40,78049%Yes*565 mi
1052.2$4,800 in-state / $6,600 out-of-state$42,32445%Yes*499 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Dakota employs approximately 180 wind turbine technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $73,820 1. The state’s concentration of wind turbine technician jobs is 6.18x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, wind turbine technician employment is projected to grow 49.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school or community college
  • Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
  • Median wage (South Dakota): $73,820 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota

How to become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for wind turbine technicians in South Dakota.

How long does it take? wind turbine technician training length in South Dakota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do wind turbine technicians earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians in South Dakota is $73,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,350 and experienced professionals can earn $79,300 or more 1.

How to Become a Wind Turbine Technician in South Dakota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved wind turbine technician program in South Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to wind turbine technicians in South Dakota before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Wind Turbine Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Wind Turbine Service Technicians Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), wind turbine service technicians wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Sioux Falls100$62,650$60,650$46,350$76,400

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for wind turbine technicians in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 180 wind turbine technicians 1. Nationally, wind turbine technician employment is projected to grow 49.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do wind turbine technicians earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians in South Dakota is $73,820, which is $11,240 above the national median of $62,580 according to BLS data 1.

In South Dakota

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)