Renewable Energy Careers
As the renewable energy industry grows across the world, so do the opportunities for employment in this field. From positions as agricultural and food scientists to solar photovoltaic installers, it is now possible to develop a career on the cutting edge of industry that is both lucrative and rewarding. Renewable Energy Careers.
In the United States, there are already more than 12 million renewable jobs in the energy sector 一 and rising. Solar energy jobs make up a third of these careers with 4 million jobs in 2020, but biofuel energy and other green energy sources are quickly catching up.
Employees looking for new jobs in solar, bioenergy, hydropower, wind power, and other energy jobs will have new opportunities for growth in the coming decades. This is due to the commercialization and adoption of key technologies that minimize our environmental impact, such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, and biofuels.
Below, we will explore some current renewable energy careers that will benefit from this proliferation, including how positions in software development and construction are also necessary for this sector. Along the way, we’ll share how to get these jobs so that people looking to make a positive impact on global climate change can start their career paths.
1. Wind Turbine Service Electricians
Also known as “windtechs,” these professionals install, wire and configure, and perform regular maintenance and repairs on wind turbines and wind energy systems. They climb wind towers, hoist up replacement components and install them, collect data, and troubleshoot all systems on wind farms to ensure good operation.
Windtechs work outside, high up in tight spaces on windmills to perform these tasks, making this job both exciting and challenging. Most windtechs commute to their job site, or commute jointly with other techs.
Career Growth & Salary
Wind turbine electrician jobs are estimated to rise 44% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than average for all other jobs. Any tradesman with electrician experience or electrician trade school certificates or degrees can become a wind service electrician with 12 months of on-the-job training. Those afraid of heights need not apply. The estimated median salary of these professionals is $56,000 a year, or around $27 an hour.
2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Solar photovoltaic installers build and maintain solar PV systems and solar panels that aid in providing clean electricity. They assemble supports, panels, and fixtures using housing codes and standards, hook up solar electrical systems to the larger grid, and perform routine maintenance and repairs where necessary to ensure clients have electricity.
Solar PV installers work outside, on rooftops, and in tight spaces, though some installers work on field or farm systems that are ground level. Most if not all solar PV installers are required to commute to job sites.
Career Growth & Salary
Solar PV installer jobs are estimated to rise 27% from 2021 to 2031. More than 2,500 job openings per year over the next decade are expected.
A career in solar installation only requires a high-school diploma and some courses from a technical school or community college, along with the standard 12 months of on-the-job training. The median salary expectation of solar PV installers is $47,000 a year, or around $22 an hour.
3. Logisticians Renewable Energy Careers
Logisticians are chiefly responsible for managing supply chains, including the acquisition, allocation, distribution, and storage of goods and materials. These roles will play an increasingly important role as renewable and clean energy is scaled because these technologies require a sustainable and plentiful source of building materials to deploy. Logisticians in this sector provide actionable, strategic plans for the implementation of green technology.
Individuals in this sector perform a variety of job functions. Therefore, they can be both in the office and on the manufacturing floor.
Career Growth & Salary
Logistician jobs are estimated to rise 28% from 2021 to 2031, where 24,800 openings are estimated per year for the next decade. Logisticians require a bachelor’s degree, and some positions require relevant work experience and certifications from key supply chain associations. The median salary expectation of logisticians is $77,000 a year, or around $37 an hour.
4. Software Developers
Software developers build computer applications and software packages that control and allow for user input on a variety of computer-controlled systems. In renewable energy, software developers build real-time data visualization and analytics tools, modeling software, and other tools for renewable energy systems to help them run more effectively and to help operators understand the system’s status and problems.
Though largely a desk job, software developers can find work in plants and other renewable energy facilities that allow for direct contact with technology that runs on their code.
Career Growth & Salary
Software developer jobs are estimated to rise 25% from 2021 to 2031, where a staggering 162,900 job openings per year are expected for the next decade. Software developers require at minimum a bachelor’s degree, and are often encouraged to pursue a master’s degree or equivalent experience. The median salary expectation of software developers is $120,000 a year, or just about $52 an hour.
5. Biochemists and Biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists work on studying physical and chemical principles of biological processes. Their focus is on the biomolecular and the intra-cellular, where they aim to discover new natural processes or leverage existing ones for the benefit of humankind to health and medicine. As well, biochemists and biophysicists are highly sought after in the development of biofuel, plastic-eating bacteria, and other environmental applications where biology, chemistry, and physics intersect.
Most of these professionals are found manning a microscope in a lab. They should go into the field knowing that they may be regularly exposed to contagious or otherwise hazardous substances. That being said, their work is highly influential to the future of humankind, where they discover new natural tools and invent new molecules that can revolutionize entire industries.
Career Growth & Salary
Biochemist and biophysicist jobs are expected to grow 15% from 2021 to 2031, where about 4,000 open positions per year are expected for the next decade. These professions require at least a master’s degree for entry-level positions. Those seeking to work in independent positions, though, will need to earn a Ph.D.. The median annual salary expectation for biochemists/bio[hysicists is $102,000 a year, or about $49 an hour.
6. Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers use the fundamentals of chemistry and other sciences to discover engineering solutions. In renewable energy sectors, chemical engineers are vital for fuels and material production, air quality improvement devices, bioreactors, and more, both in their development and in scaling for wide-scale manufacturing.
They can either work in offices, laboratories, or in plants and facilities. There they can be exposed to some of the most cutting-edge science and engineering tools.
Career Growth & Salary
Chemical engineering jobs are estimated to rise 14% from 2021 to 2031, where 2,000 openings per year are expected for the next decade. A career in this field requires a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a similar field; master’s degrees are necessary for certain positions. Those seeking to break into the industry are encouraged to also have internships and in-the-field experience. The median salary expectation for chemical engineers is $105,000 a year, or around $50 an hour.
7. Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Industrial machinery mechanics 一 also sometimes found as maintenance machinists 一 build, maintain, and repair equipment used in a variety of industries. They implement keen observation skills, technical documents, and an understanding of mechanical equipment to troubleshoot and perform routine maintenance before an issue surfaces.
Their work environment is both dynamic and challenging. They become deeply acquainted with heavy machinery at the forefront of technological innovation.
Career Growth & Salary
Industrial machinery mechanics positions are estimated to grow 14% from 2021 to 2031, where more than 52,000 new job openings per year for the next decade are expected. Industrial machinery mechanics must have a high-school diploma as well as 12 months of on-the-job training, and certain mechanics also need associate’s degrees or courses in welding, pneumatics and hydraulics, and other practical skills. The median salary expectation for industrial machinery mechanics is $59,000 a year, or about $28 an hour.
8. Management Analysts Renewable Energy Careers
Management analysts improve a business’s efficiency using financial, energy, and operational datasets. Also called management consultants, these professionals typically specialize in specific areas of business operation and industries, depending on their career goals. For renewable energy, these specializations can focus on raising electric power generation, metering energy usage, enhancing efficiency, reallocating staff, or updating the financial structure of facilities. They are a necessary part of keeping renewable energy competitive and profitable, and can specifically help update hydropower facilities to be cleaner and more efficient.
Their job entails being on-site and in the office, traveling often. They are responsible for managing tight deadlines and schedules.
Career Growth & Salary
Management analyst jobs are expected to grow at 11% from 2021 to 2031, where more than 101,000 position openings are expected per year for the next decade. Management analysts require at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related fields and a year of work experience, but many are getting MBAs and other higher education credentials to advance. The median salary expectation for management analysts is $93,000 a year, or just over $44 an hour.
9. Industrial Engineers
Industrial engineers focus on maintaining and optimizing manufacturing and technical environments. They reduce energy and material waste and keep projects at maximum efficiency with scheduling, planning, control systems and coordinated efforts across the production space, quality control measures, and much more.
Career paths in this field will be vital in renewable energy facilities like biofuel centers that will require a tight balance between sustainability, operating margin, and energy efficiency. Though mostly an office position, industrial engineers sometimes go into the field to observe how they can make systems better.
Career Growth & Salary
Industrial engineering jobs are expected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031, where about 22,000 open positions are expected each year for the next decade. Industrial engineers must hold engineering degrees and also often hold master’s degrees or have industry experience. The estimated median salary for industrial engineers is $95,000 a year, or just over $45 an hour.
10. Agricultural & Food Scientists
Agricultural and food scientists improve how we make food through research and innovation on established farming and livestock practices through the use of evolving datasets. By better understanding the types of soil, animals, plants, and biological processes that are involved in the agricultural industry, these professionals can bring sustainable practices to issues in agriculture such as species displacement, soil exhaustion, ecological collapse, and much more. They can also affect how urban planners rethink our cities by offering high-density agricultural production tools like hydroponics and aeroponics, for example.
These scientists work long hours in the lab, the office, and in the field. As a result, they experience both office life and the dynamic environment of farms and food production facilities.
Career Growth & Salary
Agricultural and food scientist jobs are estimated to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031, where 4,100 new job openings a year are expected for the next decade. These scientists require at minimum a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, biology, or related fields. They are often required to have advanced education and even veterinary licenses for certain animal scientists. The median salary expectation for agricultural and food scientists is $74,000 a year, or about $36 an hour.
11. Construction Managers Renewable Energy Careers
Construction managers guide architectural projects and keep them to the agreed schedule of the build. As well, they perform mitigation and arbitration between firms and contractors. They work closely with many different people on a construction site to ensure the timelines and budget are kept within acceptable limits and are chiefly responsible for handling claims, delays, and other issues on the build site. Construction managers are essential to the timely rollout of renewable energy facilities and systems, offering quantifiable milestones and collecting documents and data to create a record of the progression of buildings over time.
While construction managers may have a primary headquarters, most of their time is spent at build sites. There, they may have a field office, but the majority of their time will be spent supervising on-site.
Career Growth & Salary
Construction manager jobs are expected to rise 8% from 2021 to 2031, where 41,500 new openings are expected per year for the next decade. A career in construction management requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like engineering or business, and they are also encouraged to get management training or on-the-job training in construction. Some states require these positions to be licensed or certified for specific build sites. The median salary expectation for construction managers is just over $98,000 a year, or about $47 an hour.
The Future of Careers in Renewable Energy
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2021 Annual Review. Keeping to the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement of limiting global climate change to +1.5 °C globally, then there will be an estimated 43 million new renewable energy jobs by 2050. IRENA projects that this increase in new jobs will be led by about 19.9 million jobs in solar energy. 13.7 million jobs in biofuel energy. 5.5 million jobs in wind power. 3.7 million jobs in hydropower.
The explosive growth of the renewable energy sector and other tools like the popularization of electric vehicles will ultimately provide stable employment for those who choose this career path, make a lasting difference in the United States’ energy independence, and minimize global climate change for the entire world.
Source: Renewable Energy Careers
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
https://www.techedmagazine.com/category/news-by-industry/energy-education/