Making Green: Good-Paying Jobs With an Environmental Focus

"For some workers, every day is Earth Day. Did you know studying how to protect the planet often leads to a good paycheck, too? 

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that many scientists and engineers in green jobs had wages that were higher than the $45,760 median for all occupations in 2021. In addition, the bureau projects more than 30,000 openings overall each year, on average, from 2021 to 2031 for the 10 occupations shown below:

Chart showing the 2021 median annual wages for 10 green jobs, ranging from $64,750 to $102,270..."
Green Jobs 

Where the Green Jobs Grow

"Data

 Jobs • By: Bill Lawhorn • April 21, 2021

Looking for a new job or considering a career change? Passionate about the environment? Here are nine jobs you should know about. Out of the earth-friendly occupations with green related job duties discussed directly in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, these are projected to have among the most openings in the coming decade.

 

Environmental scientists and specialists

Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.

2020 median pay: $73,230

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree

Number of jobs: 90,900

Projected growth, 2019-2029: 7.8% (faster than average)

Occupational openings, 2019-29 annual average: 8,900

 

Chemists

Chemists specializing in green chemistry will design chemical processes and products that are environmentally sustainable. Green chemistry processes minimize the creation of toxins and waste, and might monitor environmental conditions at a chemical plant.

2020 median pay: $79,300

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Number of jobs: 86,700

Projected growth, 2019-2029: 4.7% (as fast as average)

Occupational openings, 2019-29 annual average: 7,300

 

Hazardous materials removal workers

Hazmat removal workers clean up materials that are harmful to people and the environment. The specific duties of hazmat removal workers depend on the substances that are targeted and the location of the cleanup.

2020 median pay: $45,270

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent

Number of jobs: 45,300

Projected growth, 2019-2029: 8.2% (much faster than average)

Occupational openings, 2019-29 annual average: 5,600.."
Green Jobs 

Employment in Green Goods and Services 2010

"In 2010, 3.1 million jobs in the United States were associated with the production of green goods and services, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Green Goods and Services (GGS) jobs are found in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. GGS jobs accounted for 2.4 percent of total employment in 2010..."

New Commerce Department Reports Lay Foundation for Measuring Green Economy, Carbon Dioxide Emissions
"he U.S. Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration today released two new reports: one that defines and measures the size and scope of the green economy and another that looks at the ways in which the American economy's greenhouse gas emissions have changed over the past decade. Together, they provide valuable analytic tools needed to understand the emerging green economy, quantify greenhouse gas emissions and help inform future policy decisions.


“The Obama Administration's agenda for economic recovery depends in part on efforts to develop clean energy and energy-efficiency technology," Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. "These reports provide important insights and are a valuable foundation to measure our success as that agenda moves forward. These efforts could put millions of people to work in high-skill, high-wage jobs as opportunities to export green products and services expand and nations seek more energy sources.”

The first of the two reports, “Measuring the Green Economy,” provides an important initial step toward measuring the size and composition of the emerging green economy and the number of green jobs it has created. By using publicly-available data on more than 20,000 products and services, the report shows that the green economy is well-poised for growth..."

"The second report, “U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Intensities Over Time,” shows that, while significant work remains in curtailing greenhouse emissions, a large number of economic sectors have indeed become more energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) efficient -- particularly the manufacturing sector. The report reveals that households are responsible for about 30 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions, more than any other sector. It also provides a comprehensive accounting of carbon dioxide emissions across every economic sector – industry, the government and households – from 1998 to 2006, and lays out a understanding of changes in greenhouse gas emissions, in both total and per dollar of output..."

US Labor Department releases report on green jobs training initiatives
" This Earth Day, the U.S. Department of Labor is turning green jobs into golden opportunities safely by working with its community, labor and industry partners to prepare the workforce for high growth fields while building a greener planet. The Labor Department today released a report to demonstrate the programs being supported to promote green job growth. Additionally, the department is launching a campaign called "Turning Green to Gold, Safely" to collect stories from the public about how contributions have been made to green job creation. Entries will be submitted online at http://www.dol.gov over the next year and they will be featured in a best practices guide on Earth Day 2011.

"A changing job market and the evolving clean energy economy are creating new and exciting prospects for workers. At the U.S. Department of Labor, we will continue our efforts to ensure men and women across the nation have the tools they need to access these opportunities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Turning green to gold — with a constant focus on safety — just makes sense. It means jobs that have livable wages, safe working conditions and worker protections."

Over the past year, the Department of Labor has launched a series of initiatives to support and promote green job creation. Highlights from today's report appear below. To view the full report, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/green/earthday_reportA.pdf.