Wind turbines stand in a cornfield in southern South Dakota on Aug. 14, 2024. (Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight)

The fastest growing occupation through 2032 in South Dakota will be wind turbine service technicians, according to new projections from the state Department of Labor and Regulation.

The department recently released its occupational employment projections for the 2022-2032 decade.

Wind service turbine technicians also hold the top spot on the national list.

“It has been over 20 years since the first wind turbines began dotting the South Dakota horizon and ‘wind techs,’ as they are often called, not only install those big fans but also maintain and repair them as needed,” said the department’s report. “As this natural renewable energy source continues to grow in popularity, the need for these workers is also projected to continue at a whirlwind pace.”

The department defines the fastest growing occupations as those that had employment of at least 100 workers in 2022 and have the highest percent change of employment during the 2022-2032 projections period.

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