Best institutions to study Wind Energy Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing wind-powered energy systems.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 47 Wind Energy Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1704, a specialization of Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17), and leads most directly to the Wind Turbine Service Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 49-9081).
About Wind Energy Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing wind-powered energy systems. Includes instruction in wind energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, testing and inspection procedures, system maintenance procedures, and report preparation.
See also: 47.0704 - Wind Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Wind Energy Technology/Technician program is designed for individuals looking to support the development and maintenance of wind-powered energy systems. This program falls under the broader category of Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians and prepares students to apply engineering principles and technical skills in the renewable energy sector.
Students in this program gain knowledge in wind energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, and system maintenance procedures. Coursework includes hands-on training in testing and inspection procedures, as well as report preparation, equipping graduates with essential skills for the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Wind Energy Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year23 graduates / yr · 4 institutions49%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21 graduates / yr · 2 institutions45%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.4%
Graduates over time
Wind Energy Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 47 |
CIP 15.1704 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 7 institutions for Wind Energy Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Community College Colby, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 55% | — |
| 2 | Centura College - Norfolk Norfolk, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 73% | $28,550 |
| 3 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, IDPublicAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — |
| 4 | Kankakee Community College Kankakee, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 32% | — |
| 5 | Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 45% | — |
| 6 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 22% | — |
| 7 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 67% | — |
Offered in 6 states
Where Wind Energy Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 2 | 33 | Colby Community College32 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 8 | Centura College - Norfolk8 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | College of Southern Idaho2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | Kankakee Community College2 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | Bristol Community College1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Rowan University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-9081, Wind Turbine Service Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Wind Energy Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Wind Turbine Service Technicians, among other roles. With a projected growth rate of 49.9% and approximately 2,300 annual job openings, this field offers a median wage of $62,580, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1704
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Turbine Service Techniciansprimary SOC 49-9081 | $64,120 | +49.9% Much faster than average | ~2,300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Wind Energy Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.
- Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems.
- Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems.
- Test electrical components of wind systems with devices, such as voltage testers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, infrared testers, or fiber optic equipment.
- Start or restart wind turbine generator systems to ensure proper operations.
- Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17).
- Energy Systems Technology/CIP 15.1701
Technician 681 graduates / yr76 institutions - Solar Energy Technology/CIP 15.1703
Technician 312 graduates / yr33 institutions - Power Plant Technology/CIP 15.1702
Technician partial data74 graduates / yr5 institutions - Energy Systems Technologies/CIP 15.1799
Technicians limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hydroelectric Energy Technology/
Technician15.1705 - Geothermal Energy Technology/
Technician15.1706
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What is the duration of the Wind Energy Technology program?+
The program offers awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintenance of wind energy systems.
What kind of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a Wind Turbine Service Technician or in various engineering technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 49.9% and about 2,300 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Wind Energy Technology/Technician?+
Wind Energy Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1704 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing wind-powered energy systems. Includes instruction in wind energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, testing and inspection procedures, system maintenance procedures, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Wind Energy Technology/Technician programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Wind Energy Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 47 credentials in the year. That is 4.2% of all Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Wind Energy Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Wind Turbine Service Technicians occupation, which Wind Energy Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,120 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card