If your career plan involves caring for the planet, there’s good news. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth in many occupations related to helping the environment or conserving natural resources.
In fact, two of the occupations that BLS projects to have the fastest employment growth from 2020 to 2030, wind turbine service technicians (68% increase) and solar photovoltaic installers (52% increase), involve “green” work. However, as the data show, the total number of new jobs is projected to be relatively small in these and some other green occupations.
Chart 1 data below
Each of these occupations had a median annual wage that was higher than the $45,760 median for all workers in 2021. The typical education required to enter these occupations varies.
Workers in green occupations focus on the environment in different ways. Wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers, for example, build and maintain systems that create energy from sources that don’t become depleted. Other workers help to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution. Still others advise organizations or individuals on ways to protect and preserve natural resources.
Chart 2 data below
You can find information about these and hundreds of other occupations in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook , which describes what workers do, how to enter the occupation, what the projected job outlook is and more. Check it out and start charting the path to a green job future today.
Chart 1 data:
Selected green occupations with projected employment growth, 2020–30
Occupation
New jobs, projected 2020–30 (numeric growth)
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
7,300
Solar photovoltaic installers
6,100
Wind turbine service technicians
4,700
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
3,600
Environmental engineers
1,900
Conservation scientists
1,500
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
1,300
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections.
Chart 2 data:
Selected green occupations with projected employment growth, 2020–30
Occupation
Median annual wage, 20211
Employment, 2020
Employment, projected 2030
Typical entry-level education
Environmental engineers
$96,820
52,300
54,300
Bachelor's degree
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$76,530
87,100
94,400
Bachelor's degree
Conservation scientists
$63,750
25,300
26,800
Bachelor's degree
Wind turbine service technicians2
$56,260
6,900
11,700
Postsecondary nondegree award
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
$48,390
17,300
18,600
Associate's degree
Solar photovoltaic installers3
$47,670
11,800
17,900
High school diploma or equivalent
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
$47,370
34,200
37,800
Associate's degree
Note: None of these occupations typically requires work experience in a related occupation for entry.
1 Wage data exclude self-employed workers.
2 This occupation typically requires long-term on-the-job training to attain competency.
3 This occupation typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training to attain competency.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections.
