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Solar photovoltaic installers is the fastest growing green job in the US, with a massive growth rate of 104.42%.
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Jobs in green industries (i.e. Environmental Science) are growing at an average rate of 8.6%.
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The US Green Technology and Sustainability Market is projected to have a CAGR of 20.6% between 2022-2029.
If you’re worried about saving the planet and have decided to make a career out of it, then you’re in luck.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers related to helping the environment or conserving natural resources are predicted to see some job growth. This is especially exciting since generally green jobs don’t pay much of a salary. With the world becoming more and more conscientious of protecting the environment, there’s been a more concentrated effort in making these jobs more accessible.
Despite potentially sub-par salaries, depending on where you live, most of the green jobs on our list can promote a very comfortable lifestyle. Your chance to save the world while still being able to live a comfortable life is here. Put on your cape and get out there. Better yet, the growth that is expected in the next few years within each career is very promising for growth past 2026.
How We Determined Which Green Jobs Were the Fastest Growing
We used the data that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collected on projected growth within each of these careers that are focused on helping or conserving the environment and natural resources. To determine the growth rates, we divided the expected growth in 2026 by the starting numbers in 2016. The higher the percentage increase, the faster growing the job.
1. Solar photovoltaic installers
Growth Rate: 104.42%
Median Annual Wage: $39,490
Solar panel installation is the fastest-growing green career and only requires a high school diploma. The future of roofing is in your hands (literally).
2. Wind turbine service technicians
Growth Rate: 94.83%
Median Annual Wage: $53,880
More and more people are turning to natural energy sources like wind turbines to power their homes and farms, which means more service technicians are needed. The 94% growth in this career represents that pretty clearly.
3. Hazardous materials removal workers
Growth Rate: 17.10%
Median Annual Wage: $41,400
Did you know that you could rescue the world from hazardous materials and waste with only a high school diploma? The 17% growth rate that is expected in this job means that even more people are realizing how important this planet is.
4. Environmental engineering technicians
Growth Rate: 12.35%
Median Annual Wage: $50,230
Engineers need assistance, too. These technicians come in to help clean up the world through the devices engineers come up with. This kind of brainpower is predicted 12% to have a nice 12% growth.
5. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Growth Rate: 12.14%
Median Annual Wage: $45,490
These are the people who put themselves at risk every single day to monitor pollution and its effect on the environment. They’re exposed to dangerous sources of pollution that could have an impact on their health. Yet, they continue to do so, which makes that 12% increase even sweeter.
6. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
Growth Rate: 11.06%
Median Annual Wage: $69,400
By cleaning up polluted areas and working to reduce waste or hazards, these scientists and specialists are doing everything they can to protect the environment and human health.
7. Environmental Engineers
Growth Rate: 8.36%
Median Annual Wage: $86,800
Environmental Engineers work a little bit of engineering, soil science, biology and chemistry into their work every day. Their main focus is on improving recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control. It’s great to see that this career is expecting a growth of 92% by 2026.
8. Conservation Scientists
Growth Rate: 6.28%
Median Annual Wage: $61,480
After managing the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands and other natural resources, it’s about time this career see some type of growth. With the land becoming more and more important to conserving, the 94% growth is more than welcome.
Summary on the Fastest Growing Green Jobs
Every day the people living on this giant planet become more and more conscientious about conserving it. Finally, the scientists, engineers and others who have been diligently breaking their necks to save the world are being listened to. Now, those careers are growing and are expected to continue to grow at least until 2026. This growth proves that saving the world is starting to pay off. Even though most of these careers aren’t growing exponentially, the growth they are seeing is at least a start. Hopefully, this growth will continue well into the future as more and more people turn to Earth-saving careers.
Author
Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.
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