How To Become An Energy Efficiency Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an energy efficiency engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Who doesn't like saving money? Imagine doing that while helping the environment. As an energy efficiency engineer your job will be to save your clients money by developing energy-saving plans for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. In this line of work, you'll apply engineering principles and analyze primary energy systems while looking for ways to reduce energy usage and increase energy efficiency.

In this role, you'll frequently audit energy usage as you try to calculate the most efficient way to power a building or facility. Some of the places you could end up working include manufacturing and production companies, government agencies, or energy auditing companies. These engineers also help organizations by developing energy-usage goals which reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency.

To be successful in this line of work, you'll need to have strong analytical, math, and engineering skills. In order to become an energy efficiency engineer you'll need to complete an accredited engineering program at a college and pass relevant professional engineering exams. Many employers may require additional certifications to demonstrate knowledge of green energy techniques.

ScoreEnergy Efficiency EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $87,691

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.9

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.29%

Asian 18.80%

Black or African American 4.12%

Hispanic or Latino 10.25%

Unknown 4.69%

White 61.86%

Gender

female 19.67%

male 80.33%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an energy efficiency engineer

Explore energy efficiency engineer education requirements

Most common energy efficiency engineer degrees

Bachelor's

68.4 %

Master's

27.6 %

Certificate

1.0 %

Start to develop specific energy efficiency engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
HVAC	25.81%
Energy Efficiency	17.81%
Data Analysis	13.67%
Energy Analysis	5.68%
Commercial Buildings	5.67%

Complete relevant energy efficiency engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New energy efficiency engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an energy efficiency engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real energy efficiency engineer resumes.

Research energy efficiency engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage the storage & shipment of hazardous/universal wastes (PCB ballasts, lamps, batteries, etc . )
Approve all material and labor invoices ensuring that charges are base on current material and labor contracts and NYC labor rates.
Provide training to clients, universities and chamber of engineers on energy efficiency and HVAC systems.
Install metering on injection molds, lighting, compress air, on-site generators, and HVAC systems.

Apply for energy efficiency engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an energy efficiency engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

What is an energy efficiency engineer and how to become one

Energy efficiency engineer career paths