Have you ever thought of energy as a good career path? It might not be the first thing to consider; however, we recommend taking a closer look at the jobs in the energy sector. Indeed, there are many factors to consider, and the entire industry should be interesting for you in the first place to make it a career.
The energy sector has many jobs currently available, and the best paying jobs are currently in the sector of “green” and renewable energy as well as traditional oil and gas sectors. With more and more governments and organizations choosing sustainability and overall eco-friendly approaches to energy and consumption, the “green” sector is bound to flourish.
According to the Department of Energy’s recent report, almost 8 million people worked in the energy sector in 2021, and there is a “strong opportunity for job growth in the energy sector post-pandemic.” Here are the main report highlights regarding the best-paying jobs in energy and the prognosis for the next year:
- The expected growth of jobs in the energy efficiency sector is 10.1%.
- 8.1% more companies will offer electricity production services.
- The renewable energy sector is expected to get 5.5% more job placements.
- Green transportation, energy distribution, and storage will have 4.2% more job offerings.
As you can see, the energy sector, indeed, has something to offer. However, how many jobs are available in energy right now? The energy sector consists of several fields, with energy power derived from solar, wind, coal, nuclear, geothermal, and many other sources. That’s why the sector requires many different types of professionals to cover all the needs: from engineers and scientists to managers and technicians.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Information Network, here are the best-paying jobs in the energy sector in 2021:
| Occupation | Job Description | Entry-Level Education | 2021 Median Pay |
| Petroleum Engineers | Petroleum engineers work at drilling and well sites and design and develop methods of extracting oil and gas. | Bachelor’s degree | $130,850 |
| Wind Energy Operations Manager | Wind energy operations managers are in charge of wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance and financial activities, and planning. | Requirements vary |
$124,650 |
| Nuclear Engineers | Nuclear engineers work at nuclear facilities, design nuclear equipment, and do research work related to nuclear energy and radiation. |
Bachelor’s degree |
$120,380 |
| Environmental Economists | Environmental economists carry out economic analysis related to environmental use and protection. | Requirements vary; may require a graduate degree |
$105,630 |
| Chemical Engineers | Chemical engineers mostly work for engineering services companies or petroleum and oil production companies, streamlining manufacturing processes. Unless it’s a job involving research or teaching, a Bachelor’s degree is sufficient. | Bachelor’s degree |
$105,550 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | Solar energy systems engineers work with energy efficiency and solar projects for residential, commercial, or industrial customers. | Bachelor’s degree |
$100,640 |
| Materials Engineers | Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials. They work in transportation equipment manufacturing, engineering services, and computer and electronic product manufacturing. | Bachelor’s degree | $98,300 |
| Power Plant Operator | Power plant operators inspect and adjust equipment at power plants. | High school diploma;
Bachelor’s degree |
$94,790 |
| Civil Engineers | Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee various construction and maintenance processes (from dams and irrigation projects to power plants and water and sewage systems). | Bachelor’s degree |
$88,050 |
| Geoscientist | Geoscientists collect and analyze samples from potential oil and gas deposits. | Bachelor’s degree |
$83,680 |
Now that we know the average median pay for energy jobs in 2021, let’s take a look at the examples of the best-paying energy jobs in 2022.
Some Best-Paying Energy Job Examples in 2022
- Chemical Engineer at e-sens Inc.
- Structural Engineer, Offshore Wind, for COWI in North America at COWI.
- Project Engineer with experience in developing material solutions for electronics assembly at Talent Search PRO
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the energy sector is a fast-growing and promising industry, with new subfields emerging rapidly and a considerable shift toward renewable energy becoming more and more pronounced. If you choose to work in the energy sector, you will grow and develop as a professional and create a steady career over the years. With plenty of job opportunities and new openings that are predicted to appear in the following years, right before your graduation, it is a great option to consider.
