37-Year-Old Mom Climbs 300 Feet Daily for $73,000 Salary, Wonders If It’s All Worth It When Wind Blows Her Lunch Away

Jessica Jackson, a 37-year-old mom of four, makes a solid $73,000 a year as a wind turbine service technician—a role that combines technical skill, physical stamina, and the daily thrill of wondering if today’s gust of wind will turn her into a human kite.

Her job? Scaling 300-foot turbines, tinkering with hydraulics, and dodging eagles. “It’s not as scary as you’d think,” Jackson says, moments before casually mentioning the metal ladder that resembles something Indiana Jones would refuse to climb. “Once you’re up there, it’s peaceful—unless, of course, the wind reminds you it’s called a wind farm for a reason.”

A Career Without a Degree… or a Fear of Heights

Jackson’s story is inspiring—or at least terrifyingly aspirational for anyone who’s ever looked at a tall ladder and said, “No thanks.” After years as a stay-at-home mom, she found herself in need of a career and decided to scale new heights, literally.

Now, Jackson works for Vestas, where she earns $73,000 annually and dreams of a $100,000 lead technician role. Her days are filled with climbing, repairing, and contemplating the life choices that led her to eat lunch 30 stories in the sky.

“I didn’t need a degree for this job,” she says, pausing to tighten her safety harness. “Just a willingness to learn and the ability to haul 50 pounds of gear while whispering, ‘Please don’t fall, please don’t fall.’”

The Perks: Pay, Views, and Adrenaline Rushes

Jackson cites the breathtaking views as a major perk, though some might argue that “breathtaking” refers more to the terror of being 350 feet above the ground.

“You see hawks, planes, and sometimes your life flash before your eyes,” she explains. “It’s beautiful.”

Despite the risks, wind turbine service technicians are in demand. The job market for this role is expected to double in the next decade, driven by the expansion of renewable energy. Benedetti, Vestas’ senior director of workforce development, describes it as a “career with longevity.” Critics describe it as “a career with very little room for error.”

Advice for Aspiring Wind Techs: Try Not to Look Down

Jackson hopes her story inspires others, especially women, to enter the field. “It’s rewarding,” she says, adjusting her helmet while clinging to the nacelle for dear life. “If you’ve ever wanted a job where you’re your own boss—and by that, I mean the wind decides your day—this is it.”

Her advice for job seekers? “Go for it. You’ll never know unless you try,” she says. “Also, invest in good gloves and maybe a parachute.”

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