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Career profile · 11-9199

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

What the work can involve

  • Coordinate or direct development, energy assessment, engineering, or construction activities to ensure that wind project needs and objectives are met.
  • Manage wind project costs to stay within budget limits.
  • Lead or support negotiations involving tax agreements or abatements, power purchase agreements, land use, or interconnection agreements.
  • Create wind energy project plans, including project scope, goals, tasks, resources, schedules, costs, contingencies, or other project information.
  • Supervise the work of subcontractors or consultants to ensure quality and conformance to specifications or budgets.
  • Develop scope of work for wind project functions, such as design, site assessment, environmental studies, surveying, or field support services.

Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.

Preparation and entry routes

O*NET Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.

Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.

Understand the different credentials →

Skills used in this occupation

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Active Listening

Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.

Knowledge to build

  • Administration and Management
  • English Language
  • Building and Construction
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Economics and Accounting

Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.

Common work activities

  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.

Training subjects to investigate

The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.

Working conditions to consider

These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.

Work-setting questionMost common responseShare giving that response
Contact With OthersContact with others most of the time35.8%07/2016 · sample 19
Exposed to ContaminantsNever66.4%07/2016 · sample 19
Exposed to Disease or InfectionsNever97.4%07/2016 · sample 19
Exposed to Hazardous ConditionsNever71.9%07/2016 · sample 19
Spend Time SittingMore than half the time59.6%07/2016 · sample 19
Spend Time StandingLess than half the time82.0%07/2016 · sample 19
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or ControlsNever46.9%07/2016 · sample 19
Time PressureOnce a month or more but not every week37.4%07/2016 · sample 18
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life JacketsOnce a year or more but not every month69.8%07/2016 · sample 19
Work SchedulesRegular (established routine, set schedule)55.1%07/2016 · sample 18

O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.

Software used in the workplace

Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.

  • Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software
  • Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Internet browser software: Web browser software
  • Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
  • Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio
  • Project management software: Microsoft Project, Oracle Primavera Systems
  • Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel
  • Video conferencing software: Web conferencing software
  • Word processing software: Microsoft Word

Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.

Physical demands and schedule evidence

BLS surveyed jobs in the broader occupation Managers, all other (SOC 11-9199). These preliminary 2025 estimates describe work requirements across surveyed employers. Individual workplaces, adjustments and duties differ.

Explore 55 occupational requirement estimates
RequirementShare of workersStandard error
Workers that had work schedule variability required41.1%13.1 percentage points
Workers that had the ability to pause work Estimate is greater than 95 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group.>95%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that had the ability to telework34.8%9.4 percentage points
Workers that required on-the-job training This estimate is the mode for the category group.67.0%9.0 percentage points
Workers that required prior work experience Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group.>99.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were not exposed to extreme cold Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group.>99.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme cold Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were not exposed to extreme heat Estimate is greater than 80 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group.>80%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, seldom Estimate is less than 20 percent.<20%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to extreme heat Estimate is less than 20 percent.<20%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to quiet noise21.6%8.3 percentage points
Workers that were exposed to moderate noise This estimate is the mode for the category group.68.2%10.7 percentage points
Workers that were exposed to very loud noise Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that used personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure to noise Estimate is less than 40 percent.<40%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were not exposed to outdoors This estimate is the mode for the category group.78.0%8.3 percentage points
Workers that were exposed to outdoors, seldom4.5%1.9 percentage points
Workers that were exposed to outdoors, occasionally17.3%7.8 percentage points
Workers that were exposed to outdoors, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to outdoors, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that were exposed to outdoors22.0%8.3 percentage points
Workers that were allowed the choice of sitting or standing This estimate is the mode for the category group.71.1%10.4 percentage points
Workers that were not allowed the choice of sitting or standing28.9%10.4 percentage points
Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, seldom Estimate is less than 40 percent.<40%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds Estimate is less than 40 percent.<40%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required driving This estimate is the mode for the category group.64.6%9.7 percentage points
Workers that required low postures, seldom19.1%7.6 percentage points
Workers that required low postures, occasionally24.6%14.2 percentage points
Workers that required low postures, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required low postures, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required work in low postures43.7%12.0 percentage points
Workers that could choose to crawl when in low postures Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that could choose to stoop when in low postures26.4%10.4 percentage points
Workers that could choose to kneel when in low postures Estimate is less than 45 percent.<45%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required reaching overhead, seldom32.6%12.0 percentage points
Workers that required reaching overhead, occasionally Estimate is less than 30 percent.<30%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required reaching overhead, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required reaching overhead, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required reaching overhead with one hand11.8%5.9 percentage points
Workers that required reaching overhead with both hands This estimate is the mode for the category group.32.4%13.4 percentage points
Workers that required reaching overhead44.2%11.8 percentage points
Workers that required a sedentary strength level This estimate is the mode for the category group.51.1%11.4 percentage points
Workers that required a light strength level23.5%10.0 percentage points
Workers that required a medium strength level23.4%13.4 percentage points
Workers that required a heavy strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent.<0.5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Workers that required a very heavy strength level Estimate is less than 5 percent.<5%Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate.

Use this evidence to ask about the actual work environment and available accommodations. It is not a medical assessment or a reason to rule yourself out of an occupation.

BLS Occupational Requirements Survey, preliminary 2025, released January 16, 2026; samples collected August 2023–July 2025. Source bounds such as “less than” are preserved. Categories are not necessarily additive. Understanding standard errors.

Pay & employment outlook

Salary estimates for wind energy development managers

This O*NET specialty shares the BLS 11-9199 occupation series. Pay is measured for Managers, All Other, not separately for this specialty.

National median annual wage$141,900May 2025 · existing wage and salary workers
National median hourly wage$68.22May 2025 · where BLS publishes hourly pay
Middle 50% of annual wages$102,880–$186,30025th–75th percentile · not an entry-level pay range
Estimated employment622,190May 2025 · excludes self-employed workers

The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.

National outlook: 2025–2035

Projected employment change+4.9%1,338,800 to 1,404,400 jobs
Projected openings per year100,900Annual average · growth plus replacement needs
Typical education for entry
Bachelor's degree
Related work experience
Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training
None

BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.

Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
May 2025 cross-industry wage estimates for Managers, All Other
StateAnnual medianHourly medianEmployment
Alabama$135,890$65.331,970
Alaska$127,950$61.511,740
Arizona$129,870$62.448,540
Arkansas$87,520$42.085,690
California$174,560$83.9299,580
Colorado$171,140$82.2814,060
Connecticut$162,690$78.227,330
Delaware$168,060$80.801,280
District of Columbia$175,720$84.4818,570
Florida$108,890$52.3537,820
Georgia$125,000$60.1034,680
Hawaii$130,000$62.50Not published
Idaho$131,550$63.241,230
Illinois$140,240$67.4231,680
Indiana$79,900$38.426,990
Iowa$128,080$61.583,600
Kansas$131,710$63.322,690
Kentucky$122,930$59.102,390
Louisiana$103,140$49.5913,220
Maine$115,920$55.731,860
Maryland$159,040$76.4617,530
Massachusetts$182,950$87.9610,630
Michigan$134,260$64.559,380
Minnesota$152,600$73.374,160
Mississippi$101,570$48.83960
Missouri$125,760$60.4611,420
Montana$110,470$53.111,600
Nebraska$116,430$55.982,640
Nevada$112,040$53.879,110
New Hampshire$145,630$70.021,330
New Jersey$161,510$77.6530,270
New Mexico$123,550$59.403,770
New York$167,200$80.3918,470
North Carolina$141,160$67.8721,830
North Dakota$126,440$60.792,040
Ohio$129,940$62.477,360
Oklahoma$131,870$63.401,340
Oregon$125,580$60.387,680
Pennsylvania$131,600$63.2720,170
Rhode Island$165,900$79.76790
South Carolina$129,960$62.482,210
South Dakota$119,470$57.44570
Tennessee$99,430$47.8017,510
Texas$134,390$64.6161,410
Utah$134,890$64.859,190
Vermont$125,440$60.311,060
Virginia$166,230$79.9221,560
Washington$164,160$78.9210,490
West Virginia$124,940$60.073,640
Wisconsin$107,050$51.4614,240
Wyoming$113,420$54.53850

Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages

Search the 516 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.

Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.

Compare the route and prepare for work

Questions to test the fit

  1. What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
  2. Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
  3. What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
  4. Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
  5. How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
Use the career-change checklist →

Related occupations to compare

Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.

Sources and attribution

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 11-9199.10.

Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.