Aberdeen, Dundee, Peterhead and the Highlands are in pole position to reap the huge financial benefits.
And experts predict the new energy sector could become a bigger employer than the oil and gas industry.
But without the proper support and investment - with college and university courses - there are fears that the vast potential could be wasted and less than 1,000 jobs could be created.
The new research, commissioned by Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise, forecasts that offshore wind has the potential to support 28,000 jobs by 2020.
Experts also suggest that a further 20,000 jobs could be created in related industries.
But the report, published today, warns that the next four years are "critical" to the success or failure of the Scottish offshore wind industry.
It says government and industry must work together to speed up the consent process for developments, and to teach the skills needed.
Major private investment, loans and better infrastructure will also be required.
About £220million of public and private investment will be needed at 11 sites in Scotland, including Nigg, Arnish, Campbeltown and Machrihanish, Ardersier, Kishorn, Peterhead, Dundee and Aberdeen.
The sites have been earmarked to manufacture and service huge turbines with a total capacity of 10.6GW over the next decade.
Bringing wind energy to north-east ports will also be pivotal to the £750million Energetica project. It aims to create a 30-mile corridor of energy companies between Aberdeen and Peterhead.
The report - entitled Scottish Offshore Wind: Creating an Industry - suggests 2,000 turbines would create an industry on the scale of the UK oil and gas sector by 2020.
Jenny Hogan, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said Scotland's biggest economic opportunity in a generation could not be taken for granted.
She warned: "Other parts of the UK and ports all over Europe are all fighting tooth and nail to secure investment and the economic benefits.
"If we are to grow employment to these levels over the next 10 years, we need schools, colleges and universities to focus on delivering the skills that this new industry requires."
Adrian Gillespie, senior director of energy and low-carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said Scotland was in a "wonderful position" to reap the benefits of the move to low-carbon electricity.
And Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said places such as Nigg were perfectly placed to make the most of the opportunity. He said: "This study confirms just how important this sector can be for the Scottish and the Highland economy.
"We have campaigned for a long time now for the redevelopment of Nigg yard to provide the fabrication and construction facilities which will allow the Highlands to access the jobs and investment."
Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future - which is behind the Energetica project - welcomed the report. Its development manager, Rita Stephen, said: "We are working on several fronts to ensure we are able to fully exploit the opportunities in renewables and position the region as a global all-energy hub, renowned for offshore oil and gas expertise but also recognised as pioneers in offshore and marine renewables. This involves putting the right infrastructure in place and making sure we attract and develop skilled people to meet demand."
