The Top Five Green Tech Jobs – and the Top Five Places to Find Them
Posted January 22nd, 2013
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines green jobs as those in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources, as well as jobs in which workers’ duties involve making their establishment’s production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. Here are the Top 5 green technology-related jobs, their average annual salaries and growth outlook, according to occupational expert and author Laurence Shatkin.
#5: Construction and Building Inspectors – Poised to grow 18.2%, these professionals are charged with making sure that required building codes are adhered to. In green building projects, environmental construction standards are both paramount and precise, so inspections are key. Annual earnings: $48,330.
#4: Environment Scientists and Specialists – The demand for these experts in environmental issues and impact – whose research work often determines key policy decisions – is projected to increase 25.1%. Average annual earnings are $58,380.
#3: First-Line Construction and Extraction Managers and Supervisors – These workers are responsible for making sure that inspectors have no violations to find when they come to do code enforcement, and that any problems are fixed promptly. Expected growth is 9.1%, and annual earnings are $55,950.
#2: Industrial Engineers – “Industrial engineers are efficiency experts, safety experts, and quality control experts,” says Shatkin. The goal is to use their skills to make any process greener and more sustainable. Demand should grow by 20.3%, and the average annual salary is $71,430.
#1: Construction Managers – “There’s an increasing interest in making energy-efficient buildings, and making buildings using renewable materials,” Shatkin declares. Construction managers who understand the ins and outs of using green materials and processes can expect an annual salary of $76,230, and their opportunities to increase by 15.7%.
Of course, not all of these jobs are available in all parts of the country. According to Forbes.com, the leading city for green job opportunities is San Francisco, with many opportunities revolving around Silicon Valley. New York and Houston are next; New York in particular is a hotbed of both private and public jobs, with an emphasis on data collection and analysis. The final two cities are D.C. and Boston, with the nation’s capital providing the most opportunities for green scientists and environmental research.
Bayside Solutions can also provide plenty of green technology opportunities, especially in the San Francisco area. Contact us today to learn more about the great variety of green jobs available in California, with the region’s top employers.
