Below are frequently asked questions for the Wind Career Map. For more information, please see the Wind Energy Career Map: Resource List.

Maps

Who developed the maps?

The Wind Career Maps are the product of a working group of experts, including representatives from industry, education, government, labor, and nongovernment organizations. The working group was convened by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

What is the purpose of the Wind Career Maps?

High-quality work and high-quality jobs are critical to building a robust domestic wind industry. Jobs in the wind power field range from wind technicians who install and maintain wind turbines, to educators and instructors who train the next workforce, to engineers and business leaders, to various trade workers. By mapping a broad spectrum of careers across the wind power industry, these maps allow instructors, policymakers, and job seekers to consider a range of occupations accessible to workers with a wide variety of skills and experience. By providing wind-power-related job descriptions and sample career pathways on two tracks (degreed careers and vocational careers), these maps allow users to explore potential wind energy positions and the pathways available to get to them.

What does the placement of each job/dot signify?

Dots representing each job are placed in columns according to their sector in the domestic wind market: project development; component manufacturing; construction; operations; and education, training and research. The vertical placement within the columns is first based on career level. Entry-level jobs criteria are different for degreed and vocational careers. Entry level for vocational jobs requires a high school diploma or GED. Employers offering mid-level jobs tend to prefer a bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma plus experience or training. Advanced-level jobs require a bachelor’s degree or more. For degreed jobs, entry level requires a bachelor’s degree, mid-level requires a master’s degree or equivalent experience, and advanced level requires a Ph.D. or equivalent experience. The dot placement within each square does not have significance.

Why are there some jobs without a career transition listed?

This Wind Career Map is representative of sample jobs and sample transitions from one career to another. The jobs and transitions are not exhaustive. There are some jobs that do not list specific career transitions; however these jobs should not be viewed as jobs that will not lead to other opportunities. There are many opportunities that exist that are not listed on this map.

Jobs

Are there additional jobs in the wind industry?

These maps represent a sample of jobs that exist within today’s domestic wind energy industry, but the complex industry comprises many more occupations than a web tool can depict. Showing a distilled, representative lattice from project development through operations still has value, so the working group selected the most representative occupations to map. Not every job on the lattice is exclusively or even primarily a wind job. But most benefit from some training in wind-specific skills. And each one is in some way essential to building a robust, high-quality wind industry.

Other important positions that are not included in this tool include safety inspectors, real estate agents, administrative assistants, paralegals, cleaning crews, and others. These job categories are found in many industries and do not necessarily require unique training in wind energy, except for on-the-job training. 

Do these occupations offer full-time work in the wind industry?

Some do; however, not every job on these maps devotes even the majority of its effort to wind-related work. Quality control inspectors may spend a fraction of their time on wind-related work, but the quality of their wind-specific training is critical to the success of the industry. And not everyone working in the wind industry has a “wind job” per se. Electricians, for example, assist in wind turbine installation, and manufacturing technicians produce wind components. These professionals are trained first, and primarily, as electricians and technicians. In these cases, wind product or system expertise follows. This fluidity, though sometimes confusing to those trying to pin down a “green job,” has some clear advantages. Workers develop broad occupational skill sets in addition to wind energy competence, allowing them to better weather fluctuating energy and labor markets. Educational institutions can integrate wind skills training into existing programs, rather than trying to establish stand-alone wind energy programs. In addition, some programs are focused specifically on wind energy.

What about jobs that have multiple sectors or skill levels?

These career maps serve as guides. Many of these job titles could appear in more than one sector, and the maps list several. The maps place each job role in the lowest possible location to communicate the minimum required training or education required to enter that role. The very nature and scope of a given job may change depending on company size and market segment. A small-wind-turbine installer might also be doing assessment, sales, and maintenance. And some of these jobs, depending on the individual, the company, and the labor market, could appear in many positions up and down the skill axis on either map. An electrician can practice at apprentice, journey, or master levels; an engineer may have a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree; sales positions range from entry-level assistants to highly skilled technical experts. Some of this potential variation is addressed in the full job descriptions.

Labor Market Information

Where can I find more specific wage data?

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is just starting to gather some wage data for some renewable energy occupations. The national median wages listed in this tool derive primarily from BLS data for related traditional occupations across all industries. Pay can vary tremendously by region and industry. For the nontechnical data seeker, state-level wage ranges can be explored via O*NET (The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration’s Occupational Information Network) wage and employment trends for each occupation. When seeking employment in a particular field or career, we recommend using online job-search tools that are specific to the industry or region in which employment is sought. For example, doing an internet search for “City/State jobs in xyz career” can be a good start.

How many wind jobs are there?

Securing accurate and timely occupational information on a rapidly evolving industry that crosscuts multiple sectors can be difficult and is beyond the scope of these maps. Education, training, and workforce development professionals can find targeted regional data through state departments of labor or local workforce intermediaries (e.g., workforce investment boards, technical colleges, and training or industry partnerships). Major national efforts to gather and unpack data around wind jobs include recent studies by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the American Wind Energy Association.

Do these maps identify current job opportunities?

No. These career maps were not designed as job-listing sites. They are not tied to any specific employer, and they in no way guarantee a career progression. Individual job seekers can access a number of related Department of Labor tools that match occupations, skills, and interests with specific training and employment opportunities, including My Skills My Future, and My Next Move.

Education and Training

Where can I find more entry-level jobs?

Career routes in the wind industry don’t necessarily progress from the bottom to the top of the lattice. Workers at middle and advanced levels may enter the industry via lateral pathways that add wind training to a traditional occupation (e.g., engineer, lawyer, sales manager). There are a number of groups doing excellent work to build bridges and on-ramps for entry-level, lower-income workers seeking to enter wind energy careers.

What is the “preferred” education and training level?

Most of the jobs in these maps feature many education and training paths. The career maps include the minimum qualifications typically required for the job as well as the preferred skill-level or credential that represents what would be most attractive to employers and most conducive to building a safe, high-quality wind industry. Education and skill attainment are identified by one or more of the following: certification; licensure; apprentice-, journey- or master-level; high-school diploma (or equivalent) or post-secondary credential; associate’s, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree.