REPORT: Clean Energy Jobs Pay 25% More Than National Median

October 22, 2020

First-of-its-kind report shows clean energy jobs more likely to include health care, retirement benefits
Median wages in solar, wind, grid modernization higher than jobs in coal, natural gas and petroleum fuels
Findings support calls to power U.S. recovery with clean energy jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Clean energy jobs paid 25% more than the national median wage in 2019 and were more likely to include health care and retirement benefits, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis of federal occupational wage and benefits data prepared for E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) by BW Research Partnership.

The Clean Jobs, Better Jobs report is the first comprehensive analysis of wages and benefits across the clean energy sector. According to the report, workers in renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid modernization and storage, clean fuels and clean vehicles earned a median hourly wage of $23.89 in 2019 compared with the national median wage of $19.14. In addition, jobs in many clean energy sectors are more likely to be unionized and come with health care and retirement benefits than the rest of the private sector, the analysis shows.

Clean Jobs, Better Jobs comes amid the growing national dialogue around clean energy as federal and state leaders look for ways to restart the economy. The findings underscore the opportunity to advance smart clean energy policies that create higher-wage opportunities putting Americans back to work quickly rebuilding a cleaner, more resilient and more equitable economy. The report also provides detailed wage, benefit, education and demographic data for 15 specific clean energy occupations, and how they compare with similar jobs in other industries outside of clean energy.

Overall, median wages in clean energy are significantly higher than median wages in sectors such as retail, services, recreation and accommodations, especially when it comes to entry-level wages. Solar energy workers earn $24.48 an hour, while wind and grid modernization jobs pay on average more than $25 an hour. Energy efficiency – the largest employer in the nation’s energy sector – supports a median hourly wage of $24.44, about 28% above the national median.

Many clean energy jobs also paid better than fossil fuel jobs. Jobs in coal, natural gas and petroleum fuels paid $24.37 an hour, while solar and wind jobs combined for a $24.85 median hourly wage. Clean energy industries also employed about three times more workers than fossil fuels did in 2019, and, unlike fossil fuel jobs, clean energy jobs are available in every state, regardless of geology or geography.

Before COVID-19, clean energy had been one of the nation’s fastest-growing sectors. At the end of 2019, clean energy employed nearly 3.4 million workers across 99% of U.S. counties, according to E2’s Clean Jobs America report.

Bob Keefe, Executive Director at E2, said:

“This is just one more indication that focusing on clean energy is the smart thing to do as lawmakers look to rebuild our economy and get Americans back to work. “These jobs pay better, come with better benefits – and they’re also helping fight climate change and the growing economic costs that come with it. We need policies that ensure these good-paying jobs continue to grow and are available to every American in every state.”

Gregory Wetstone, President and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), said:

“More renewable energy means more high-quality jobs with good pay and better benefits for more Americans. Investing in these jobs is both smart for the economy and essential for the climate. With the right policies in place, the renewable industry can put people to work powering our nation’s economic recovery – as it did in 2009 – and play a critical role in achieving the greenhouse gas emissions reductions scientists say are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.”

Becca Ward, Acting Executive Director of CELI, said:

“Emerging leaders know the future of energy is clean energy. This report illustrates that clean energy careers are already a critical part of the economy and the recovery from COVID-19. Now the essential work is to ensure that in the greater energy transition, these benefits and opportunities are centered in equity and the frontline communities most impacted by climate change, COVID-19, and ongoing racial injustices.”

Phil Jordan, Vice President and Principal at BW Research Partnership, said:

“The U.S. economy has shed millions of jobs since the onset of COVID-19. Clean energy investments can create new opportunities for these displaced workers, in jobs that pay more and are more likely to include benefits than the average jobs lost during the pandemic.”

State Findings

Clean energy industries in six states paid wages at least 20% higher than the statewide median, led by California (29.2%), Texas (27.6%) and Louisiana (24.9%). Six states plus the District of Columbia (D.C.) had median hourly wages above $25 an hour in clean energy, led by Massachusetts ($29.80), D.C. ($27.60) and California ($27.50).

Other Report Findings

The unionization rate across all clean energy occupations (9%) was slightly higher than the national private-sector average (6%)
Common occupations – such as electrician, construction laborer, and welder – typically pay a premium when they’re involved in clean energy industries. Electricians who work in clean energy, for instance, make a median $29.64 per hour – about $2.60 more per hour than electricians overall.
Wage premiums for clean energy occupations are highest for entry-level positions.

For expanded findings, including detailed profiles on 15 specific clean energy occupations, download the full report here.

Hourly Wages by Clean Energy Sector

	2019 Median Hourly Wages	% Above or Below the National Median	Nationwide Employment, 2019
U.S. Total	$ 19.14	—	149,133,921
Clean Energy Industries Overall	$ 23.89	25%	3,355,419
Renewable Energy Generation*	$ 23.44	22%	522,811
Solar	$ 24.48	31%	345,393
Wind	$ 25.95	39%	114,774
Energy Efficiency	$ 24.44	28%	2,378,893
Storage & Grid Modernization	$ 25.07	30%	147,644
Clean Fuels (Advanced Biofuels)	$ 19.55	4%	39,704
Clean Vehicles	$ 22.20	16%	266,368

* Includes low-impact hydropower, combined heat and power, bioenergy, and geothermal.

Top States by % Above Statewide Median Wage

California	29.20%
Texas	27.60%
Louisiana	24.90%
Massachusetts	23.20%
New York	20.90%
Oregon	20.90%
Georgia	19.90%
Nevada	16.90%
Tennessee	15.20%
Arizona	14.90%

Top States by Median Hourly Wage

Massachusetts	$29.84
District of Columbia	$27.56
California	$27.49
New York	$27.07
Alaska	$25.75
Washington	$25.39
Connecticut	$25.19
Maryland	$24.37
New Jersey	$24.22
Oregon	$23.91

Additional Resources:

Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.

Founded in 2001, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is the nation’s premier pan-renewable organization uniting finance, policy and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. For more information, please visit www.acore.org.

With programs operating in Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Chicago, the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing a new kind of energy leadership. We believe creating a diverse community of change-makers across sectors and disciplines will drive an equitable, decarbonized, and resilient energy ecosystem.

Media Contacts:

Alex Hobson — (202) 594-0706, hobson@acore.org

Michael Timberlake — (202) 289-2407, mtimberlake@e2.org

Alex Frank — (703) 276-3264, afrank@hastingsgroup.com

Join leaders from across the renewable energy sector.