Wind turbine jobs pay well, and they are becoming more available every year as the renewables sector keeps growing. Salaries vary depending on your role, your experience, and whether you work onshore or offshore. As a rough guide, wind turbine technicians earn anywhere from around £28,000 to well over £60,000 per year, with offshore roles typically paying significantly more. Read on for a full breakdown of what you can expect.
What jobs are available on wind turbines?
Wind turbine roles cover a wide range of skills and experience levels, from hands-on technical work to project management and engineering. The most common roles include wind turbine technicians (also called service technicians or WTGs), electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, health and safety officers, surveyors, and site supervisors. There are also logistics and marine roles on offshore wind farms, such as vessel crew and transfer masters.
Here is a quick overview of the main job categories:
- Technicians and service engineers — carry out maintenance, repairs, and inspections on turbines
- Electrical and mechanical engineers — design, install, and troubleshoot systems
- Project managers and site supervisors — oversee construction and operational phases
- Health, safety, and quality (HSE/QHSE) officers — manage compliance and risk on site
- Marine and vessel crew — support offshore wind farm operations from crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and service operation vessels (SOVs)
- Surveyors and inspectors — assess foundations, cables, and turbine structures
If you want to explore what is currently open in the wind sector, you can browse offshore wind job vacancies to get a feel for the roles being recruited right now.
How much do wind turbine technicians earn on average?
Wind turbine technicians earn between approximately £28,000 and £50,000 per year in the UK, with experienced technicians and those working offshore earning considerably more. Entry-level roles typically start around £28,000 to £32,000, while senior technicians with specialist skills or supervisory responsibilities can earn £45,000 to £55,000 or above.
Salaries also vary by country. In the Netherlands and Germany, technician salaries are broadly comparable to the UK. In the US, wind turbine technicians earn roughly $40,000 to $70,000 per year depending on location and experience. Daily rates for contract roles can be considerably higher than equivalent salaried positions, which is why many experienced professionals choose to work on a project-by-project basis.
Do offshore wind jobs pay more than onshore wind jobs?
Yes, offshore wind jobs consistently pay more than onshore equivalents. Offshore technicians and engineers typically earn 20 to 40 percent more than their onshore counterparts, reflecting the more demanding working conditions, the travel involved, and the additional certifications required.
Offshore roles also often include allowances and benefits that onshore roles do not, such as:
- Offshore allowances or day rates on top of base salary
- Travel and accommodation covered by the employer
- Rotation schedules (for example, two weeks on, two weeks off) that can make the overall package very attractive
- Tax advantages in certain countries for workers on rotation
For anyone comfortable with working at height, spending time at sea, and holding the right safety certifications, offshore wind is one of the better-paid technical sectors available right now.
What qualifications do you need to work on wind turbines?
The qualifications you need depend on your role, but most wind turbine jobs require a combination of a relevant technical background and specific safety certifications. For offshore roles in particular, safety training is not optional — it is a requirement before you set foot on a site.
Common qualifications and certifications include:
- GWO (Global Wind Organisation) Basic Safety Training — covers first aid, fire awareness, manual handling, working at height, and sea survival. This is the industry standard for wind technicians.
- BOSIET or HUET — required for offshore helicopter travel in some regions
- Electrical or mechanical engineering qualifications — NVQ, HNC, HND, or degree level depending on the role
- IOSH or NEBOSH — for HSE and supervisory roles
- Manufacturer-specific training — Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, and other OEMs offer their own certification programmes
We screen all candidates against QHSE requirements and international safety standards before placing them on any project. This protects both the professional and the client, and it is a non-negotiable part of how we work. You can read more about the industries we recruit for and the standards that apply.
How does pay work when working on wind turbines abroad?
When you work on wind turbines in another country, your pay structure can become more complex. You may be employed through a local entity, a staffing agency, or placed on an international payroll. The key things to understand are how tax is handled, whether social security contributions are covered, and what your contract type means for your rights and protections.
For work within the EU, an A1 certificate confirms which country’s social security legislation applies to you, preventing double contributions. Outside the EU, the rules vary significantly by country. Working through a payroll provider that understands cross-border compliance makes a real difference here, both for your take-home pay and for your legal security.
Rotation schedules, day rates, and allowances all affect your overall earnings. Make sure you understand what is included in your package before you sign anything.
How do you get started in a wind turbine career?
Getting started in wind energy is more accessible than many people think. You do not always need years of wind-specific experience — transferable skills from other technical sectors such as maritime, oil and gas, or civil engineering are highly valued.
Here is a practical path to follow:
- Identify your transferable skills — electrical, mechanical, rigging, or marine experience all translate well
- Complete your GWO Basic Safety Training — this is the most important first step for any hands-on role
- Get your CV in order — highlight relevant certifications, offshore or site experience, and any manufacturer training
- Connect with a specialist recruiter — wind energy recruitment is a niche field, and working with people who know the sector saves you a lot of time
- Be open to contract roles — many people enter the wind sector on project-based contracts before moving into longer-term positions
How iPS Powerful People helps you get into offshore wind
We have been placing technical professionals in the renewables sector for over 35 years, and we work with clients across onshore and offshore wind projects worldwide. Whether you are just starting out or looking for your next senior contract, we can help you find the right fit.
- Access to a broad range of offshore wind jobs across Europe, the US, and beyond
- Placement support for technicians, engineers, supervisors, and marine crew
- International payroll handled by us, including A1 certificates and full compliance with local legislation — no risk for you or the client
- Screening against QHSE and safety standards as standard practice for every placement
- B Corp certified, which means we hold ourselves to high social and environmental standards in everything we do
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about who we are and what drives us, or get in touch with our team to talk through your options. We are happy to help you figure out where you fit in the wind energy sector and what it takes to get there.