Energy jobs offer some of the highest salaries today. If you’re thinking about a career in the energy industry, here in this publication are the top-paying job options to consider.
Salaries for energy jobs can vary quite a bit depending on the position, level of experience, and location. However, in general, energy jobs tend to pay quite well.
For example, according to Indeed.com, the average salary for an entry-level engineer in the oil and gas industry is $74,000 per year. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for an experienced engineer in the solar energy industry is over $100,000 per year. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the energy industry, there’s a good chance you will be able to find a job that pays well.
This is why we have compiled a list of the highest-paying energy jobs in the US and around the World.
Some of these jobs can be found in oil companies or related businesses (like solar, wind, and environmental engineering), while others are more general (such as geology, chemistry, and petroleum engineering).
The energy field has significantly contributed to the world’s progress. It is what makes it possible for us to harness electricity, to power our devices, and to light up our lives. Without the energy field, we would be living in a much different world – one that is much darker and much more difficult to navigate.
While it is true that these companies offer high salaries to attract the best talent available in the energy industry, they also demand stellar candidates with excellent credentials.
List of Best Paying Renewable Energy Jobs
In no particular list, here are the highest-paying Energy jobs you should consider if you are interested in taking on a career path in renewable energy or a related field.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers are people who design and oversee the construction of oil and gas wells. The petroleum engineer is responsible for the exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation of crude oil.
They also work to improve efficiency in these processes while minimizing costs. Petroleum engineers need an advanced degree in engineering or science with coursework focused on thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and chemical engineering principles among other things.
A career as a petroleum engineer can be very rewarding both financially and emotionally because this job ensures that society will have access to fuel sources for generations to come!
The petroleum industry needs Engineers to handle technology and process issues related to oil and gas fields such as design, fluid mechanics, production, logistics, and development. Petroleum engineers work in most aspects of the oil industry such as research and development, management, exploration, production, and transportation.
The median salary for a petroleum engineer is $129,000. Oil and gas companies are currently scrambling to find new oil and gas around the world in ever-deeper water and under increasingly harsh conditions; this means an increased demand for petroleum engineers.
Environmental Engineering Technician
An environmental engineering technician is responsible for the safe and proper handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
They inspect equipment to ensure it’s safe before they use it, make sure workers are following safety procedures at all times including during emergencies when appropriate protective gear should be worn by everyone on-site or nearby if not at work (including pregnant workers), clean up spills quickly so as not to cause additional contamination.
An environmental engineer ensures that construction sites do not pollute rivers with dirt and debris flows from heavy machinery operations; an EE has oversight over this process too. Environmental engineers may also design treatment systems for water pollution control or air quality improvement projects.
The field can encompass a variety of topics such as noise control in factories, the design of landfills for solid waste, and the removal and safe disposal of chemicals, gasoline, oil, or other hazardous materials.
Environmental engineering technicians may work with other types of engineers to restore ecosystems hurt by pollution or development. They can advise on the best ways to clean up rivers and lakes and protect forests and endangered species.
They work with field engineers to plan and design systems for treating and disposing of water and wastewater. They also help monitor the environmental impact of these systems.
The median salary for an environmental engineering technician is $50,370 per year.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers are responsible for the design, production, and operation of chemical plants. They work with other engineers to develop processes and products that add value to the streamlined processes of converting raw materials and chemicals into new products.
They are responsible for developing efficient processes by which these substances can be efficiently engineered from one state to another. Some chemical engineers work on research and further development while others work on its modification.
The job requires a high degree of expertise in both the engineering and chemistry fields. A bachelor’s degree in either engineering or chemistry is usually required, as well as several years of experience working in a related field.
The median salary of Chemical engineers in the USA per year is $101,600.
Nuclear Technician
Nuclear technicians are responsible for the safe operation of nuclear facilities. They monitor equipment, perform maintenance tasks, and ensure that all safety procedures are followed.
Nuclear technicians need an advanced degree in engineering or science, as well as several years of experience working in a related field.
They must also be able to read blueprints and understand how the equipment works. Nuclear technician jobs can be difficult but rewarding, as they often allow you to work with some of the most important technology on Earth.
The average salary of a Nuclear Technician in the US is $74,386 per year or $35.15 hourly which is close to the average salary in other high-paying states.
Architectural engineer
An architectural engineer is responsible for the overall planning, design, and construction of buildings. They work with architects to create plans for new buildings as well as renovations of existing structures.
An architectural engineer/manager must have a background in architecture in order to be successful in this position.
Some of the duties that an architectural engineer/manager can perform include: Determining building needs based on on-site location, Creating blueprints for project specifications, Coordinating subcontractors during the construction process, Ensuring safety standards are met during construction or renovation, and more.
Architectural Engineer’s median salary is around $144,830 per year in the US.
Materials Engineer
A materials engineer is a professional who has a background in engineering and specializes in the development and application of materials science to create new materials or improve existing ones.
A typical day for a materials engineer might involve researching and testing new alloys, polymers, or composites for use in various industries; designing and conducting experiments to determine the properties of new materials; developing manufacturing processes for producing new materials; working with customers and suppliers to resolve problems with existing materials; and supervising the work of junior engineers.
The median salary of a Materials Engineer in the United States stands at around $84,000.
Geoscientist
A geoscientist studies the earth, which includes everything from deep within its surface to outer space.
Geologists conduct research on rock formation, soils and sediments, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Geographers study climate change including ice ages or global warming. Hydrologists forecast river flow in order to plan water resources management such as dams and reservoirs for agriculture or human consumption.
They also monitor natural hazards like floods, landslides, and hurricanes – all with the goal of minimizing loss of life and property while maximizing economic recovery after an event occurs.
The work can be challenging but it offers many rewards because what we learn about our planet helps us protect our future generations’ right to live on this Earth safely.
Geologists are involved in the search for natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, and minerals. They find these resources by gaining an understanding of where they are located and how they can be extracted safely. Geologists also investigate land-use practices to ensure mining or other activities don’t damage the environment.
The median salary for geoscientists sits at around USD$90,000.
Renewable Energy Consultant
A renewable energy consultant helps clients manage their energy usage and find new and innovative ways to harness renewable energy sources. This could be anything from installing solar panels on your roof to using wind turbines to generate power.
The role of a renewable energy consultant is becoming increasingly important as the world transitions away from traditional fossil fuels and towards cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy. Those with experience in this field can expect to see a lot of growth in the years ahead.
According to Salary.com, the median salary of a renewable energy consultant in the US is $67,299.
Solar Energy Technician
Solar energy technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing solar panels. They must have a thorough understanding of how solar panels work in order to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Solar energy technicians also need to be able to communicate with clients about the project plan and any potential delays or changes due to weather or other factors outside their control.
Installation includes but is not limited to site assessment; preparation including excavation and installation of foundation; cabling; mounting hardware; connection wiring harnesses/cables between modules (solar panel); interconnection wiring harnesses/ cables between inverter/load center/meter box etc.; grid-inverter interface connections (if applicable).
Maintenance includes cleaning of modules, roof or ground mounting frame, and hardware; and tightening electrical connections as necessary to ensure that the system is electrically sound.
Repair activities include but are not limited to replacing broken/cracked solar modules, brackets, inverter cabinet doors, load center covers, etc.
The listed median remuneration for a Solar Energy Technician is $56,805 per year.
Industrial Engineer
The industrial engineer is responsible for the planning, control, and operation of manufacturing facilities. They design production systems that are both efficient and cost-effective, while also taking into account safety concerns.
The industrial engineer typically has a broad range of skills that include statistical analysis, economics, physics, programming/coding techniques (including software development), ergonomics (human factors engineering), fluid power technologies (pneumatic tools or hydraulic machines) – any domain related to process engineering in the industry.
The majority of industrial engineers work in the manufacturing industry and use their expertise to optimize processes to improve quality and reduce waste and cost. Industrial engineers can be found in virtually every aspect of manufacturing, from design through production and post-production services.
The median salary of Industrial engineers in the US is around $76,000.
Wind Farm Site Manager
A wind farm site manager is responsible for the overall management of a wind farm, from development through to operation. This includes overseeing the construction process, ensuring that turbines are running efficiently and safely, and dealing with any issues that may arise.
The role of the site manager is becoming increasingly important as the world progresses toward a more sustainable future with growing demands for new managers every year. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, some key skills you will need include strong leadership and organizational abilities, good problem-solving skills, and experience in engineering or construction.
The median salary for a Wind Farm Site Manager is around $110,630 in the USA.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts in the energy industry are responsible for projecting future cash flows and earnings of a company. They also help to assess the viability of new projects, analyze market trends that affect pricing or availability, forecast customer demand for products and services, and perform credit risk assessments on counterparties to transactions with the company’s assets at stake.
Financial analysis is an integral part of project appraisal – it enables decision-makers to understand how proposed investments will impact earnings before making a final commitment.
The median salary for this job is around USD$83,600 in the USA.
Solar Construction Manager/Engineer
A solar construction manager/engineer is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of a project’s installation. A typical day might include reviewing blueprints with the contractor, scheduling utility relocations, and preparing surface plats for grading.
The ideal candidate has at least five years of experience as a project manager in the residential or commercial space with attention to detail-oriented tasks such as these. He or she must also have strong problem-solving skills and be able to work well on their own but also collaborate effectively with others when necessary.
Some additional qualifications may include an associate’s degree in engineering or architecture from an accredited university plus two years of related experience; certification preferred – Certified Professional Engineer (CE) from California; CSPE; MBC; CPC; PG Electrician; Energized and Grounded (EG&G); Certified Solar Professional (CSP).
The average salary for a Solar Construction Manager/Engineer ranges from $70,000 to $100,000.
Solar Energy Software Developer
Solar energy software developers are in high demand as the industry continues to grow. They are responsible for developing and maintaining software that helps solar energy plants run efficiently.
The work is challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Solar energy developers get to see their work come to life and help make a difference in the world. They also typically have a high salary and great benefits.
If you are interested in becoming a solar energy developer, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself for the job.
First, get a degree in computer science or engineering. Next, gain experience with coding languages like C++ or Java. And finally, stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the solar industry.
The median salary for Solar energy software programmers in the USA is $111,000.
