Power up for Your Future in These 10 Renewable Energy Careers
Are you looking for a job where you convert your energy into a lasting impact in sustainability? Consider jobs in renewable energy. This sector offers many job opportunities and continues to grow, fueled by soaring energy demands and a society that is becoming more environmentally conscious. We have the details on renewable energy careers, including how to get into the renewable energy industry and the best renewable energy companies to work for.
What Is the Renewable Energy Industry?
Renewable energy is energy produced from sources that are replenished. The most common ones are:
- Solar power converts sunlight into electrical energy.
- Wind power converts the energy that wind produces into electricity.
- Water power converts the flow of water into electricity and is also called hydropower or hydroelectric power. Water power is renewable because the same water can continuously be used in a hydropower facility.
- Biomass energy converts organic materials into energy, often but not always by burning it. Some materials that can be used are firewood, corn, or animal manure.
How Many Jobs Does Renewable Energy Create?
Today, there are over 770,000 jobs in renewable energy nationwide. The fastest renewable energy job growth is in solar and wind power, growing at about 24 and 16 percent, respectively. The renewable energy industry sees a bright future, partly because of tax incentives that are encouraging homeowners to add solar panels and manufacturers to keep their manufacturing plants in the country. Government projects and investments in renewable energy, for example in offshore wind turbines, also help keep this sector strong.
What Jobs Are in Renewable Energy?
These are some of the main job categories of renewable energy careers:
- Skilled trades: Skilled trades are hands-on jobs that usually require a degree from a trade school or technical school. Careers in renewable energy can be out in the field, for example servicing a wind turbine, or at a manufacturing factory, for example by making parts for solar panels.
- Engineering jobs: Engineers develop structures, processes, plans, and products.
- Management jobs: Managers supervise staff in renewable energy industries. Some common examples are engineering manager, project manager, product manager, or manufacturing manager.
- Research jobs: Researchers in renewable energy can work in academia or for companies developing new technologies.
4 Renewable Energy Careers in Engineering
Many careers in renewable energy are in engineering. This is the typical renewable energy career path to become an engineer:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering. You can attend a program where you get a general engineering degree, or a specialized program such as energy engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering.
- Become an engineer-in-training (EIT) or engineering intern (ET) from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). To do this, you’ll have to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
- Work under supervision for a few years.
- Get a professional engineering license by passing the Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) This makes you a professional engineer (PE).
You don’t have to go through all of these steps to become an engineer, but some jobs require you to be an EIT, ET, or PE. For many other jobs, you’ll be a stronger candidate and qualify for more pay.
These are four common renewable energy careers in engineering:
Energy Engineer
What you’ll do: Energy engineers are the engineers responsible for developing new sources of energy or ways to increase energy efficiency. As an energy engineer you might develop solar or wind energy systems, sustainable buildings, or energy-efficient factories.
What you’ll need: You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in energy engineering. If you want to work without supervision, you’ll need to follow the typical career path for engineers.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an energy engineer is $82,690.
Find energy engineer jobs on Monster.
Environmental Engineer
What you’ll do: Environmental engineers, also called sustainability engineers, develop solutions to environmental problems.
What you’ll need: You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field. Some jobs require you to be an EIT, an EI, or a PE.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an environmental engineer is $67,990.
Find environmental engineer jobs on Monster.
Engineering Manager
What you’ll do: Engineering managers supervise engineering projects from start to finish. They plan projects, solve technical problems, supervise construction on-site, inspect it afterwards, and more.
What you’ll need: You’ll need to follow the typical career path for engineers outlined above. It’s also common for engineering managers to have an engineering management certificate from the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an engineering manager is $105,974.
Find engineering manager jobs on Monster.
Air Quality Engineer
What you’ll do: Air quality engineers is a category of environmental engineers who develop technology to analyze and control air pollution.
What you’ll need: You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field. Some jobs require a master’s degree.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an air quality engineer is $76,222.
Find air quality engineer jobs on Monster.
6 More Renewable Energy Careers
There is a wide variety of renewable energy careers besides engineering jobs. These are some examples of common renewable energy jobs:
Solar Power Installers and Technicians
What you’ll do: Solar power installers and technicians install, maintain, and repair solar systems.
What you’ll need: You’ll typically need a high school diploma for this job. For many positions, on-the-job training is sufficient, but others also require a relevant undergraduate degree or industry certifications, for example from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. You’ll need to be comfortable with heights for most jobs since solar panels are often installed on roofs.
How much you’ll make: The median pay for a solar installer is $20.67.
Find solar power jobs on Monster.
Environmental Scientist
What you’ll do: Environmental scientists conduct research that helps protect the environment. They often work for public agencies, nonprofit organizations, law firms, or academia.
What you’ll need: Environmental scientists usually have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Some positions require a Ph.D. Common majors are environmental science, water science, public health, hydrology, or natural resource science.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an environmental scientist is $76,530.
Find environmental science jobs on Monster.
Environmental Analyst
What you’ll do: Environmental analyst is a category of environmental scientists who focus on analyzing the environment, for example by studying climate change. They often work for government agencies, where they collect data and conduct site inspections. They can also work for private companies to ensure compliance with regulations.
What you’ll need: You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field to become an environmental analyst. Many jobs require a master’s degree, and some require a Ph.D.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for an environmental analyst or planner is $58,233.
Find environmental analyst jobs on Monster.
Wind Turbine Technician
What you’ll do: Wind turbine technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.
What you’ll need: You’ll need to be comfortable with heights and working outdoors, since you’ll spend much of your time servicing wind turbines that are at least 200 feet high. Many jobs want you to have a certificate or associate degree in wind energy technology.
How much you’ll make: The median pay for a wind turbine technician is $24.34 an hour.
Find wind turbine technician jobs on Monster.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
What you’ll do: Regulatory affairs specialists stay up to date on regulatory issues in the energy industry. Public regulatory experts can work for a government agency developing legislation or monitoring compliance with regulations. Corporate experts lobby for new policies and ensure that products and services meet existing regulatory requirements.
What you’ll need: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in science, renewable energy, business, government policy, or a related field. Some jobs will require a master’s or JD.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for a regulatory affairs specialist is $72,989.
Find regulatory affairs specialist jobs on Monster.
Project Manager
What you’ll do: Project managers lead a project and its team from inception to completion. They determine goals and timelines, plan budgets, oversee staff, hold meetings, track metrics, and present the completed project.
What you’ll need: You’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Project managers typically hold a degree either in project management or in the industry they work in. Pursuing a degree in both, for example a Bachelor of Science in renewable energy and master’s degree in project management, will make you a stronger candidate. A certificate from the Project Management Institute (PMI) can also help you stand out on the job market.
How much you’ll make: The median salary for a project manager is $84,975.
Find project manager jobs on Monster.
How to Get Into the Renewable Energy Industry
Renewable energy career paths will differ depending on the job title. Some jobs are highly specialized where you’ll work in renewable energy from the start, for example many jobs in skilled trades and research.
For other jobs, such as engineering and project management, it’s ideal but not always required that you have previous experience in the field because they have more transferable skills. You can also pivot to a different branch of engineering by getting a certificate or license, although that may require you to take more classes.
You’ll need an interest in science, environmental issues, and technology to be successful in this field. Make sure to emphasize this in your job application and during your job interview.
Regardless of what job you want, it’s common to start with an internship or apprenticeship for these highly technical jobs.
Other factors that can set you apart as a candidate include:
- a commitment to sustainability, for example through volunteering
- membership in relevant professional organizations
- renewable energy-specific licenses and certifications, such as Certified Renewable Energy Professional from the Association of Energy Engineers
- a well-rounded education with classes in math, science, public policy, engineering, technology, sustainability, and more
Best Renewable Energy Companies to Work for
Many large corporations have divisions or subsidiaries specializing in renewable energy, but there are also both large and small companies that focus on it. These are some of the best renewable energy companies to work for when it comes to benefits and more.
LightEdison
LightEdison is a nationwide renewable energy company focusing on solar power and energy storage. It’s hiring solar installers, project managers, foremen, and more.
Potential benefits include paid vacation time, paid holidays, dental, health, and vision insurance, and career training programs.
Find jobs at LightEdison on Monster.
InVenergy
Invenergy is a global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions such as wind and solar power. It hires wind technicians, field service technicians, control room operators, engineering managers, project engineers, and more.
Working for Invenergy means you’ll work for a global company with offices around the world. Potential benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), bonus, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more. Invenergy also offers a range of extracurricular activities, employee events, and employee training programs.
Find Invenergy jobs on Monster.
Stealth Renewable Energy
Stealth is a renewable energy and tech startup that is developing new technologies to utilize the energy potential of the world’s oceans. Stealth is a public benefit organization backed by venture capital firms, private investors, philanthropic investors, and endowments.
Stealth’s benefits include paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, disability insurance, relocation assistance, and 401(k).
Find jobs at Stealth Renewable Energy on Monster.
Power Through Your Job Search With Monster
Is your current job no longer sustainable? Find a new one on Monster. Create a profile to get started in a new renewable energy career today. Once you upload your resume, send applications directly through Monster and make your resume visible to recruiters working in the renewable energy sector.