America's fastest-growing job is booming in Texas
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Want a career in America's fastest-growing field? Look right here in Texas for jobs in wind energy.
Why it matters: Wind turbine service technician is the hottest job in the country, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 60% growth projected between 2023-2033.
Driving the news: Texas has the highest number of wind energy jobs overall, at nearly 27,400, per the 2024 U.S. Energy & Employment Jobs Report, an annual U.S. Department of Energy analysis.
- That's more than double that of the next-highest state, Illinois, which has about 9,400.
Context: Texas has led the U.S. in wind energy production for the past 17 years, per the Texas comptroller's office.
Zoom in: Wind companies in Texas are expected to need about 700 more wind service turbine technicians by the end of next year, per the Texas Tribune.
- Most technician salaries range from $47,000 to $93,000, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Yes, but: If you land a wind turbine technician job, expect to burn a lot of miles on the road — they're generally located in flat, rural areas, where the wind blows most earnestly.
What we're reading: This Texas Monthly Q&A with a wind turbine technician.
- Also, naturally, this book, co-written by Asher, about the politics of the Texas wind industry, hands-down the best book ever written on the topic.