91桃色视频

Menu

open search close window
close window
close window

Is Energy a Good Career Path?

The 10 Best Paying Jobs in Energy 鈥 That Are Good for the Environment

The energy sector is essential to everyday life for billions of people across the world. So, is energy a good career path to pursue? Energy advancements and technological breakthroughs have created reliable energy jobs of all kinds. Keep reading to explore the many career opportunities in the energy industry, including the top paying energy jobs.

Those working in the energy sector are responsible for keeping operations moving in homes, businesses, and countless other industries. There is a wide variety of careers in energy, from labor to engineering and software development. Additionally, as the demand for renewable energy rises, more career opportunities are available. If you鈥檙e looking for a career opportunity in energy, you are sure to find something that pays well and suits you.

someone working on a power line in a forest

Is Energy a Good Career Path?

There are many diverse types of positions and career opportunities available in energy. This is because there are many forms of energy currently being used throughout the world. We still rely on fossil fuels for energy, but renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar farms make up more of our energy reserves each year.听

What It鈥檚 Like Working in the Energy Sector

Working in the energy sector can look very different to different people. For example, someone working in the renewable energy sector won鈥檛 operate the same machinery as someone working on a natural gas dig site.听

Jobs within the energy sector can span many areas. Software developers, financial analysts, and information systems managers will mostly work in an office setting. Chemists will work in the lab. Installers and machine operators will work on-site. Those with energy engineering careers will likely experience each point of the energy harvesting cycle.听

What Do Energy Jobs Pay?

Those looking to begin a career typically want to know how lucrative their chosen path might be. So, is power generation a good career path? Jobs in energy generally do pay well. Some of the best-paying jobs in power generation are in renewable energy careers. However, plenty of traditional energy jobs pay very well too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs in energy have median salaries between $80,000听补苍诲听$100,000听per year.听

an infographic showing the best paying jobs in energy based on salary

The Fastest Growing Jobs In Energy

Below are the five fastest-growing jobs in energy. According to the听, the average projected growth rate for all occupations听is eight percent.听As you can see, these five occupations far exceed that rate and are growing.听

Of the five jobs below, three are in the renewable energy sector and two are in conventional energy.听

  • Wind Turbine Technician:听听projected employment growth from 2020-30
  • Solar Panel Installer:听听projected employment increase from 2020-30
  • Derrick Operator:听听projected employment increase from 2020-30
  • Software Developer:听听projected employment increase from 2020-30
  • Industrial Machinery Mechanic:听听projected employment increase from 2020-30

The Top 6 Best Paying Jobs In Energy

The top-paying jobs in energy include many engineering and science positions. The following six jobs are relevant to the energy sector as a whole, though some relate more to conventional energy. Each of the six best-paying jobs in energy has a positive job outlook. Several of these highest paying positions are in engineering. Explore more about听how to become an energy engineer.

Chemist

These scientists have a range of skills. Chemists understand chemical reactions that can lead to combustion, solar power, and more. They can even use this knowledge to help develop new products. Chemists typically work regular hours in a lab. In most cases, a chemist in the energy sector must have an advanced degree in their field.听

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers plan, develop, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects like power plants. These large projects need a civil engineer to manage regulations, costs, hazards, and previous data during planning. Civil engineers should get at least a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in the field, but further studies are recommended.听

  • Average Salary:
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30:听8% Projected Growth
  • Recommended Program:听Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning P.S.M.

Industrial Engineer

When an energy project grows large enough, it might need an industrial engineer. These engineers create systems to reduce waste and reach optimal efficiency. Industrial engineers need a thorough knowledge of all machines and products used on site. A Bachelor鈥檚 degree is required, but a Master鈥檚 degree is useful in this field.听

  • Average Salary:
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30:听14% Projected Growth听
  • Recommended Program:听Master鈥檚 in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning

Renewable Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers design and build devices and tools used in all kinds of industries.听Engineers in the renewable energy sector听often work to create wind farms that harness renewable wind energy using turbines. Mechanical engineers work in the office and make field visits when the equipment demands. A Bachelor鈥檚 degree is required for this position.听

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers听combine their knowledge of multiple natural sciences to engineer solutions to issues that negatively affect the environment. These engineers consider both the needs of the environment and the needs of the humans who coexist with it to address pollution, waste disposal, and more. This occupation requires a Bachelor鈥檚 degree.听

Geoscientist

Geoscientists study the earth and its physical conditions, such as its composition. In the energy sector, geoscientists use their knowledge to point out suitable resource deposits. Geoscientists will collect field samples and then analyze them in a lab. A Bachelor鈥檚 degree in their field is required, and an advanced degree is useful for many employers.

solar-panel-installers

The6Best Paying Renewable Energy Jobs

There are many high-paying jobs in renewable energy. The field is crucial as we confront climate change and depleting resources. Fortunately, there are many careers in renewable energy and the industry grows more each year. Each of the following six career paths have a positive job outlook.

Renewable Energy Scientific Researcher

Those with knowledge in the field can work for private companies and universities as researchers. Using their specialized knowledge in chemistry, physics, or other sciences, scientific researchers investigate renewable energy sources.Scientific researchers work in the Research and Development departments of different entities. Advanced degrees are required.听

Financial Analyst

Because the renewable energy industry is still new compared to conventional energy, research that still needs to be conducted. Financial analysts perform cost-benefit analyses and calculate returns on investments to ensure a company is performing efficiently. Financial analysts will need a Bachelor鈥檚 degree, a Master鈥檚 degree, and experience in the industry is a plus.

  • Average Salary:
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30:听6% Projected Growth听
  • Recommended Program:听Sustainable Business M.B.A听and/or a major in finance听

Green Construction Manager

A green construction manager works specifically on 鈥済reen鈥 projects, or projects that are in the alternative energy sector. These construction managers plan, develop, and construct projects from beginning to end. Green construction managers will work in the field and in the office to coordinate projects. Usually, these managers have a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in their field.听

Solar Engineer

Solar engineers are niche听energy engineers听that work to implement solar technology. Electrical engineers with solar knowledge are highly sought after because they can integrate renewable energy sources like solar power into the grid, which is a skill that not all energy engineers have. Solar engineers need a Bachelor鈥檚 degree, and a Master鈥檚 degree in the field can be beneficial.听

Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineers combine knowledge of multiple disciplines. Chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics are used to solve production issues. In the energy sector, chemical engineers work to test and develop energy sources. Becoming a chemical engineer requires a Bachelor鈥檚 degree. An advanced degree in this field is beneficial for higher-paying jobs.

  • Average Salary:
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30:听9% Projected Growth
  • Recommended Program:听Environmental Science B.S.

Solar Software Developer

One of the highest-paying solar energy jobs is that of a solar software developer. Solar energy systems utilize software that allows operators to watch and customize aspects of production. Like other tech careers in energy, software developers will work in an office. They need at least a Bachelor鈥檚 degree, and a Master鈥檚 degree in the field is helpful.听

  • Average Salary:
  • Job Outlook, 2020-30:听22% Projected Growth
  • Recommended Program:听Sustainable Business M.B.A, plus IT training听

energy-students

Degrees to Work in Renewable Energy

Often, these high-paying energy jobs only need a Bachelor鈥檚 degree to start out. In the more competitive fields, a graduate degree such as a Master鈥檚 degree can come in handy. At听91桃色视频, start your ideal degree path by enrolling in one of the programs below.听

Sustainability, Environmental Science, and Renewable Energy are all relevant degree programs that will prepare you for a lucrative career in the energy sector.听

BS in Sustainable Business Management Focus Area: Renewable Energy

The SBM Renewable Energy Bachelor of Science degree听prepares students听to be sustainable business leaders. Business leaders that focus on innovation and green energy are more likely to succeed than their competitors. This program also helps students advance the push for renewable energy.听

M.B.A. Sustainable Business

The Sustainable Business Master of Business Administration degree is perfect for students who want to build a future of green, environmentally friendly business practices. Students who complete this degree program will have an understanding of corporate and social environmental responsibility.听

B.S. in Environmental Science and Climate Change

The BS in Sustainable Business Management Focus Area: Renewable Energy gives students a well-rounded understanding of current environmental issues. It prepares students to help mitigate these concerns as a professional in the modern world.听

Master鈥檚 in Professional Science in Environmental Studies and Sustainability

The Environmental Studies and Sustainability Master of Professional Science degree focuses on environmental problem-solving skills. This degree program gives students a thorough understanding of the climate change issues across the globe, as well as potential advanced solutions to reduce impact..听

unity environmental university logo

sun-energy-installer

Explore Renewable Energy Careers with 91桃色视频

Whether you are interested in physical sciences, engineering, computers and technology, or any other field, there is an energy job for you. At 91桃色视频, find a听degree path听for your dream career. Learn about听91桃色视频, America鈥檚 environmental University that values sustainability and the future.

Degree Programs

Degree programs

to match your passion