- Where Renewable Energy Is Reshaping The American Job Market - September 22, 2025
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Solar Power Creates Over Half a Million Jobs Nationwide
The American solar industry has become a massive job creator, now employing around 7.1 million jobs worldwide in solar globally, with the United States contributing a substantial portion. Renewable generation sectors added more than 25,000 jobs in 2023, led by solar (+18,400) and wind (+5,700), bringing the total to almost 560,000 Americans now work in renewable generation. The solar boom isn’t slowing down either – 2023 was a banner year for solar installation, with 32.4 GW added in new capacity, a 51% increase compared to 2022.
What makes solar jobs particularly appealing is their accessibility. Both occupations pay more than the 2019 median annual wage for all occupations ($39,810), and neither occupation requires a postsecondary degree. This creates pathways for workers without college degrees to enter high-paying careers that contribute to America’s clean energy future.
Wind Energy Powers Rural Job Growth Across the Heartland
America’s wind industry is transforming rural economies, particularly in the Great Plains and Midwest. Most wind energy output, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all renewable electricity, comes from the Great Plains and Midwest. Among the states, Texas accounts for the largest share of all U.S. wind power production, about 28 percent. The growth in wind has been spectacular – In 2023, around 10% of electricity in the U.S. was produced by wind. A decade earlier in 2014, wind accounted for 4% of the total electricity generated.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects incredible growth for wind technicians. Windtechs are also expected to grow very fast (60.7 percent) over the 2019–29 decade, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in America. These jobs are reshaping entire regions, bringing high-tech careers to traditionally agricultural areas.
Clean Energy Manufacturing Returns to American Shores
One of the most significant trends is the reshoring of clean energy manufacturing. In addition to jobs in energy infrastructure like renewable energy and grid upgrades, jobs resulting from the construction of domestic clean energy manufacturing and supply chain facilities were tracked for the first time this year. In addition to the 90,000 traditional energy construction jobs, the report found an additional 28,000 jobs in 2023 carrying out the work of building new battery and solar module factories.
The Inflation Reduction Act has supercharged this trend. Three hundred and forty major new clean energy projects have been announced across 40 states and Puerto Rico since the IRA passed. In those announcements, companies have said they are creating more than 109,000 new jobs while investing over $126 billion in private-sector capital. This represents a fundamental shift in American manufacturing strategy.
Energy Storage Creates High-Tech Opportunities
Battery storage represents one of the fastest-growing segments in renewable energy employment. The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and increasing demand for grid flexibility is fueling job creation in battery and energy storage systems. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Renewable Energy Outlook, battery storage is one of the top three investment areas for clean energy developers in North America. The offshore energy storage market alone is expanding rapidly, with The North America Offshore Energy Storage Market was valued at USD 0.98 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.67 Billion by 2030.
These storage jobs span multiple skill levels and disciplines. Battery Storage Engineers – specializing in the design and integration of battery systems to support grid stability and energy storage represent just one of many emerging roles in this rapidly growing field.
Offshore Wind Creates Maritime Manufacturing Jobs
America’s nascent offshore wind industry promises to create tens of thousands of jobs in the coming decade. The study estimates that from 2024 to 2030, the offshore wind energy industry will need an annual average of between 15,000 and 58,000 full-time workers, based on the proportion of domestic content (materials and goods made in the United States) used in offshore wind energy development and construction. The range assumes 25% and 100%, respectively.
These offshore projects are already generating real employment. Ørsted, a leading global renewable energy company with 11 gigawatts of U.S. energy projects in development, construction, and operation, announced that its U.S. offshore wind energy projects have created more than 1,400 direct jobs for American union workers to date. In achieving this milestone, Ørsted’s U.S. offshore wind projects have generated approximately 3 million union work hours and counting. The industry is revitalizing American shipbuilding, with companies constructing specialized vessels right here on American shores.
Clean Energy Jobs Pay Better Than Average
Renewable energy careers aren’t just growing – they’re well-compensated. 48% of renewable energy workers received a pay raise in 2025, reflecting growing demand for specialized skills. 21% reported salary increases exceeding 5%, particularly in high-skill, high-demand roles. Traditional energy jobs like electrical work pay particularly well, with Electrical repair workers and line workers earn median incomes of $71,270 and $92,560 annually, respectively, according to 2024 BLS data.
The premium extends beyond just technical roles. Clean energy jobs paid 25% more than the national median wage in 2019 and were more likely to include health care and retirement benefits. This wage premium reflects the specialized skills required and the competitive market for clean energy talent.
Skills-Based Hiring Opens New Pathways
The renewable energy industry is pioneering new approaches to hiring that emphasize skills over credentials. One of the most significant hiring trends in 2025 is the growing shift toward skills-based hiring. Rather than relying solely on formal degrees, employers are now placing greater emphasis on practical competencies and hands-on experience. In a fast-changing industry like renewable energy, what a candidate can do increasingly matters more than where they studied.
This trend is opening opportunities for workers from diverse backgrounds. While traditional degrees still hold value, micro-credentials, technical certifications, and on-the-job training are gaining serious traction. Trade schools and community colleges are partnering with renewable energy companies to create direct pathways into these growing careers.
Texas Leads the Clean Energy Employment Revolution
Texas has emerged as the undisputed leader in renewable energy employment, demonstrating that clean energy and traditional energy can coexist. Texas (969,801), California (932,273), Michigan (401,720), Florida (351,934), and Ohio (333,110) have the greatest number of energy jobs in the United States. California (545,207), Texas (261,934), New York (177,202), Florida (172,115), and Illinois (130,473) have the greatest number of clean energy jobs.
The Lone Star State’s success stems from its “all of the above” energy strategy. Texas breaks this pattern, though, illustrating that it’s not necessary to choose one source of energy over another. Texas is pursuing the “all of the above” strategy, driving its energy industry with fossil fuels, wind, solar, and batteries – all at the same time. This approach has made Texas a model for other states looking to balance energy security with job creation.
Aging Workforce Creates Massive Hiring Opportunities
The renewable energy boom comes at a perfect time to address America’s aging energy workforce. Nearly 30 percent of electricians are near retirement age, and training and apprenticeships for these jobs can take three to five years. This demographic shift creates unprecedented opportunities for younger workers to enter well-paying careers with strong job security.
The timing is critical, as electricity demand is expected to accelerate over the next decade, driven by growing reliance on generative artificial intelligence, new data centers and increasing electrification – all requiring trained, skilled personnel. The renewable energy industry offers young Americans a chance to build careers in a growing field while contributing to America’s energy independence.
Construction and Installation Drive Job Growth
Much of the renewable energy job growth stems from the massive construction effort required to build America’s clean energy infrastructure. As the energy industry ramps up to meet this growth, construction is booming in many parts of the country. The energy construction sector added nearly 90,000 energy jobs, growing 4.5%, almost double the economy-wide construction employment growth of 2.3%.
These construction jobs span a wide range of skill levels and offer opportunities for both experienced tradespeople and newcomers to the field. And because the renewable energy economy relies heavily on the construction and utilities fields, it beckons more types of workers as projects proliferate. “We’re talking about scientists, engineers, sales professionals, installers, and electricians,” says Shrayas Jatkar, senior advisor for Good Jobs & Workforce Development at the DOE.
Geographic Distribution Brings Jobs to Rural America
Unlike traditional energy industries that concentrate jobs in specific regions, renewable energy is spreading opportunities across rural and urban America. Jobs in clean energy grew in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In particular, Idaho had the fastest rate of clean energy job growth, increasing at 7.7%, followed by Texas at 6.0%, and New Mexico at 5.9%.
Wind energy particularly benefits rural communities. Wind accounted for more than 25% of electricity generated in the following nine states in 2024: Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Minnesota. These states are seeing economic revitalization as wind farms bring jobs, tax revenue, and infrastructure investment to areas that had been losing population and economic opportunity.
Future Growth Promises Continued Expansion
The renewable energy job market shows no signs of slowing down. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that by 2022, more than 13.7 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector. That number jumped to 16.2 million in 2023, an 18% year-over-year increase. Looking ahead, projections indicate that global renewable energy jobs could more than double by 2030, reaching over 30 million positions.
The momentum is building across all renewable sectors. Clean energy companies added almost 150,000 jobs in 2023, growing more than three times faster than overall U.S. employment to 3,460,406 clean energy jobs nationwide. Last year’s jobs spike corresponds with the first full year of historic clean energy investments and incentives under the landmark federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This represents just the beginning of what promises to be a decades-long transformation of the American job market, creating opportunities for millions of workers while building the clean energy infrastructure America needs for the future.
Conclusion
The renewable energy revolution is fundamentally reshaping America’s job market, creating opportunities that didn’t exist a decade ago while revitalizing traditional industries and rural communities. From solar installers earning solid middle-class wages without college degrees to offshore wind engineers commanding six-figure salaries, clean energy offers pathways for workers at every skill level. As the industry continues its rapid expansion, supported by historic federal investments and driven by economic fundamentals, renewable energy jobs represent one of the brightest spots in the American economy. The transformation isn’t just about changing how we generate electricity – it’s about creating a new foundation for American prosperity that spans from manufacturing floors to wind-swept plains to offshore waters.
