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While the pandemic sought to destroy economic growth across the globe, many industries continue to struggle to return to a sense of life before COVID-19. In many cases, jobs were dissolved as companies could not compete in the new normal. The energy sector, while historically resilient, has maintained forward growth, reinstating 71 percent of the job market lost in 2020.

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), clean energy jobs have realized a 3.9 percent growth rate in 2022, which equates to more than 4.2 million jobs in the climate sector. Those jobs make up three categories: energy efficient jobs, energy transmission, distribution, and storage jobs, and renewable energy jobs.

The energy efficiency sector supported 2.2 million jobs in 2022, primarily in California, Texas, New York, and Florida. Areas of focus included designing, manufacturing, distributing, and installing products and services that were energy-efficient in nature. The EESI Fact Sheet furthers that the U.S. Energy and Employment Report of 2023 indicates that traditional HVAC accounted for 564,498 energy efficient jobs, with Energy Star appliances, products, and services taking second place in this area of energy efficiency with 561,565 jobs. Renewable heating and cooling jobs saw the slightest effect, with 122,481 jobs.

Coming off a historical winter in 2021, grid technology and clean energy storage technology supported 146,811 jobs in 2022. Electricity and distribution accounted for 703,000 jobs in the same year. With failures experienced with its grid in 2021, Texas boasted the highest storage and grid-specific employment with 57,030 jobs. California followed with 50 787 jobs and Illinois with 20 662 jobs. Overall, this area of the energy industry saw 2.2 percent growth in 2022.

According to the EESI, the U.S. Energy and Employment Report 2023 points to overwhelming growth for the following year. Electricity transmission and distribution jobs surpassed all others. Battery storage saw 72,923 jobs, while pumped hydropower witnessed the most minor growth with only 8,3333 jobs.

With the transition to renewable energy, renewables have dominated the debate as the most viable and popular alternative to fossil fuel use. Renewable energy jobs have significantly increased since 2021, especially in the wind energy area. Overall, 546,630 jobs made up the 2022 market. Solar and hydropower were additional areas of focus with wind. California, Texas, and New York dominate the solar, wind, and traditional hydropower job markets.

The EESI Fact Sheet additionally illustrates that solar, wind, and traditional hydropower continued to make up most of the renewable job market in 2023. Geothermal and low-impact hydropower employment saw the least activity in 2023, with 20,312 jobs combined.

While some areas boast better employment statistics than others, clean energy jobs overall support an area of the energy industry in demand. While opposition to fossil fuels continues to grow, clean energy will additionally grow as a viable alternative. The clean energy market, however, benefits no matter the outlook on fossil fuel use.

While some propose a total and final ban on fossil fuels, clean energy jobs should continue to grow to meet the demand for an alternative energy market that would dominate energy production. Another group that maintains fossil fuels will continue to be the majority provider of energy production because it is so deeply rooted in everyday life, meeting daily needs while still being the least expensive method to produce energy. Even in this case, a combination of energy production methodologies has already shaped the future. Alternative energy will continue to meet some of the market share with fossil fuels. Either way, the clean energy job market will offer many jobs for seasoned professionals and recruits entering the workforce.

Author Profile

Nick Vaccaro

Freelance Writer and Photographer

Nick Vaccaro is a freelance writer and photographer. In addition to providing technical writing services, he is an HSE consultant in the oil and gas industry with twelve years of experience. Vaccaro also contributes to SHALE Oil and Gas Business Magazine, American Oil and Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Investor, Energies Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. He has a BA in photojournalism from Loyola University and resides in the New Orleans area. Vaccaro can be reached at 985-966-0957 or nav@vaccarogroupllc.com.