Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2025-2030
These efforts are complemented by initiatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which focus on skills of pathway development and strengthening collaboration between industry and academic institutions. While such programmes enhance long- term labour availability, short-term policy uncertainty still poses risks to job continuity and workforce retention, particularly in offshore wind where project delays may reduce near-term workforce demand. Based on our latest growth projection for the US wind market, we believe that annual workforce demand for onshore wind is expected to stay within the range of 63,000-75,000 in the next ten years. For offshore wind, demand will scale gradually, averaging around 4,000 technicians per year over the next decade as commercial projects advance.
For instance, the cancellation of federal funding and the freezing of project approvals have jeopardised thousands of construction- and operations-stage roles at domestic port and vessel facilities, as detailed by unions which reported hundreds of positions lost when offshore wind projects were terminated. Workforce Expansion Nevertheless, the wind workforce in the United States will continue expanding. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of more than 50% through 2034 11 . To support workforce development and training, key initiatives include New Jersey’s Wind Institute for Innovation and Training, New York’s Offshore Wind Training Institute (led by SUNY and Stony Brook University), and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Offshore Wind Works programme, as well as the Offshore Wind Workforce Education and Training Database to broaden training access.
11 Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational employment projections data. (Data analysis and processing by USAFacts). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/emp/data/occupational-data.htm.
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Chapter 6: Country Commentaries – USA
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