Mid-Level

Wind Farm Operations Manager

The renewable energy operator — managing wind turbine portfolios to maximize clean electricity generation safely.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
I
S
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Wind Farm Operations Managers
Employment concentration · ~382 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Wind Farm Operations Manager

As a Wind Farm Operations Manager, you're responsible for operating wind farms that generate renewable electricity. You're managing O&M teams, overseeing turbine maintenance, monitoring performance, and ensuring the wind portfolio delivers on its production commitments. It's where renewable energy meets operational excellence.

Your day balances monitoring with action. You review turbine performance data, coordinate maintenance activities, troubleshoot underperforming assets, manage vendor relationships, and report on portfolio performance. Wind is variable, so you're constantly adapting to conditions while optimizing for availability and production.

The hardest part is maintaining equipment spread across large areas with limited access windows. Unlike centralized plants, wind farms have assets distributed over miles. Weather affects both production and maintenance access. You need strong systems and processes to manage a distributed asset base effectively. The people who thrive here appreciate renewable energy and can manage operations at scale.

AchievementHigh
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Portfolio sizeTurbine technologyO&M modelGeographic spreadMarket structure
Wind operations varies by portfolio and context. Large portfolios have more scale but more complexity. Turbine technology differs by manufacturer and generation. O&M models range from self-performed to full-service contracts with OEMs or independent providers. Geographic spread affects logistics and management. Market structure (merchant vs. PPA) affects production optimization priorities.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Wind Farm Operations Managers (SOC 11-9199.09), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Wind Farm Operations Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Asset management strategy
Directors optimize entire portfolios and major component decisions
2
Contract management
OEM service agreements and warranties are major cost drivers
3
Industry relationships
Career growth often involves building external network
How large is the wind portfolio — MW, turbine count, sites?
What turbine manufacturers and technologies?
What's the O&M model — self-perform, OEM contract, ISP?
What are the biggest operational challenges?
How is operations performance measured?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$69K–$228K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
631K
U.S. Employment
+4.5%
10yr Growth
107K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationPersuasion
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-9199.09

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.