Does Renewable Energy Industry Pay Well?
The renewable energy sector has seen tremendous growth in recent years as countries around the world strive to transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. This rapid expansion has led to a surge in career opportunities within the industry. According to one report, jobs in renewable energy increased to 11 million in 2018, a 5.7% increase over the previous year. [1]
The most common types of renewable energy include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. As investment and capacity have grown in these areas, so have jobs producing, installing, and maintaining renewable energy systems. The diversity of the renewable energy industry means there are roles available for people with a wide range of skills and education backgrounds.
This article provides an overview of the types of jobs available in the renewable energy sector and discusses key considerations like salary ranges, job satisfaction, and educational requirements. It aims to give readers a broad understanding of the promising career opportunities within this rapidly expanding industry.
Growth of Renewable Energy
The renewable energy industry has seen rapid growth and increased investment over the past decade. According to research from The Strategist’s Handbook: Tools, Templates, and Best Practices, global investment in renewable power capacity has grown substantially, reaching over $300 billion in recent years. Solar and wind power have seen particularly rapid expansion. Since 2000, global solar photovoltaic capacity has increased over 200-fold to 505 gigawatts, while wind power capacity has risen nearly tenfold to 564 gigawatts.
Falling technology costs, supportive government policies, and increased competitiveness with fossil fuels have driven the renewable boom. Renewables are now the cheapest source of new electricity generation in most major markets, according to research cited in The Strategist’s Handbook. The International Renewable Energy Agency predicts renewable capacity will rise over 60% globally by 2024. With ongoing cost reductions and efficiency improvements, the future looks bright for continued renewable energy growth.
Types of Jobs
There are many types of jobs in the renewable energy field. Some of the most in-demand roles are for technicians, engineers, construction workers, manufacturers, and installers.
According to ZipRecruiter, some of the most popular types of renewable energy jobs include:
- Renewable energy technicians – Install, maintain, and repair renewable energy systems like solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems.
- Solar photovoltaic installers – Assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems on rooftops or other structures.
- Wind turbine technicians – Install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.
- Solar engineers – Design and develop solar energy systems.
- Renewable energy project managers – Oversee the development and construction of renewable energy systems and facilities.
The renewable energy industry also employs manufacturing workers to produce components like solar panels, wind turbine blades, and batteries. Construction laborers help build solar farms, wind farms, and other renewable power facilities. Engineers design, develop, and test renewable energy systems across the different technologies.
Salary Ranges
Salaries in the renewable energy industry can vary depending on the specific role, level of experience, education, and geographical location. However, the industry as a whole is known for offering competitive salaries.
According to Reed.co.uk, the average salary for renewable energy jobs in the UK is £39,520 per year. However, there is a wide range depending on the role. Some examples of average UK salaries include:
- Wind Turbine Technician – £34,000
- Solar PV Installer – £25,000 to £35,000
- Energy Manager – £55,000
- Solar Design Engineer – £40,000 to £60,000
Higher level and managerial roles tend to pay upward of £70,000 or more. In the US, salaries also cover a wide range but tend to be higher on average compared to the UK.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers nationwide was around $46,470 as of May 2021 (www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm). Median wages for wind turbine service technicians were around $56,230 (www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm#tab-5).
Overall, the renewable energy industry provides ample opportunities for good pay scales across many different roles and career levels.
Highest Paying Roles
Some of the highest paid jobs in renewable energy are in management, engineering, and technician positions. According to EKT Interactive, some examples of high paying renewable energy jobs include:
- Renewable Energy Project Manager – Annual salary around $80,000 to $150,000
- Solar Engineer – Average salary of $97,620
- Wind Turbine Technician – Average salary of $52,910
ClimateBiz reports that some of the highest paying renewable energy jobs are:
- Solar Photovoltaic Installer – Median salary of $44,890
- Wind Energy Engineer – Median salary of $100,400
- Solar Energy Systems Engineer – Median salary of $99,440
These engineering and technician roles tend to be among the highest paying in the renewable energy industry. The management positions like Project Manager also command high salaries due to the complex nature of renewable energy projects.
Entry-Level Positions
Recent graduates interested in renewable energy can find entry-level roles in engineering, project development, sales, and business operations. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for entry-level renewable energy jobs in the US ranges from $42,000 to $62,000 annually [1]. Common job titles include solar consultant, wind technician, project coordinator, and energy engineer. These roles provide hands-on experience and on-the-job training in renewable energy, allowing new graduates to build technical skills while contributing to projects and initiatives.
While entry-level salaries tend to be on the lower end, they can increase quickly with a few years of experience. Renewable energy companies value young talent that brings fresh perspectives. With strong performance and demonstrated competencies, recent graduates have significant room for growth into more senior and higher-paying positions. The rapidly expanding renewable sector also creates ample opportunities to take on more responsibilities and advance one’s career.
Job Satisfaction
Many people working in the renewable energy industry report high levels of job satisfaction. This is often attributed to the meaningful nature of the work and the sense of purpose that comes from contributing to solutions that address climate change and promote sustainability (Eyre). There are ample opportunities for career growth, as the industry is rapidly expanding to meet demands for clean energy. Employees enjoy being part of an innovative field that is shaping the future of energy production and use. The combination of meaningful work and excellent career prospects leads to high levels of job satisfaction for renewable energy professionals (Bradt).
Education Requirements
To work in the renewable energy industry, most positions require some technical training or education. Many entry-level jobs require an associate’s degree or certificate in a relevant field like wind turbine technology, solar panel installation, or electrical engineering. Obtaining an industry-recognized certification can also help qualify for renewable energy jobs.
More advanced or specialized roles tend to require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, physics, or a related field. Some management and executive positions may require a master’s degree. Ongoing training and education is also essential as the industry is rapidly evolving with new technologies and innovations.
According to an article on LinkedIn, raising awareness about renewable energy careers and providing focused education is key to developing talent in this growing sector (Source). Denmark, a leader in wind power, is also encouraging the Philippines to develop its talent pipeline by supporting technician training and education for renewable energy jobs (Source).
Future Outlook
The future looks very bright for careers in renewable energy. According to Alex Bolan on LinkedIn, the renewable energy industry is expected to grow at a rate of 6-8% annually over the next 5 years as countries continue to invest in clean energy and move away from fossil fuels. This will create millions of new jobs globally in the renewable energy sector.
There will be increased demand for workers specializing in solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable sources as these technologies are further adopted. Emerging roles and specializations like solar technicians, wind turbine technicians, energy storage system designers, etc. will be in high demand (Whitham Group, 2023).
Industry experts predict the number of renewable energy jobs could triple within the next decade. Positions will open up across operations, maintenance, construction, manufacturing, and more. Government policies, technological advances, consumer demand, and major investments in renewable energy will continue to fuel job growth and employment opportunities (Rejobs.org, 2023).
Conclusion
In summary, the renewable energy industry offers competitive salaries across a range of roles. While entry-level positions start around $50,000, mid-career salaries often exceed $80,000, and experienced managers and directors can make over $100,000. The highest paying positions are typically for engineers, project developers, and managers with 5-10 years of experience.
The future outlook for the industry is strong, with an expected 15% job growth over the next decade (1). This growth is driven by both policy support and cost reductions in renewable technologies. As more large-scale renewable energy projects come online, there will be an increasing need for skilled professionals to develop, design, operate, and maintain them.
Overall, the renewable energy industry provides good pay, interesting work, and excellent long-term career prospects for those with the right skills and training.
