WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of a report that provides clean energy workforce projections for 2025 and 2030 to help states and other stakeholders make informed decisions about their investments in clean energy deployments and workforce development activities.
The report, titled State-Level Employment Projections for Four Clean Energy Technologies in 2025 and 2030, provides a simple and transparent method for states to estimate the size of the workforce in 2025 and 2030 needed to support deployments for energy efficiency in buildings, stationary battery energy storage, solar photovoltaics (PV), and land-based wind. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed the report with support from funding from DOE's State Energy Program.
The report details projected job estimates for two modeled scenarios of clean energy deployment through 2030: a "business-as-usual" scenario and a more accelerated deployment scenario. These scenarios are based on a variety of economic assumptions, such as expected costs and deployment investments and do not address prospective state or national clean energy goals or policies.
In addition to national estimates, the report includes fact sheets for all 50 states with technology-specific job projections and methodology notes. States and others may further adapt the job estimates contained in this report to their own deployment forecasts or goals to tailor them to their local contexts and needs. State-level estimates are easily accessible through the map on NREL's webpage for the report.
| Clean Energy Sector | U.S. Job Estimates 2020 (Reported/Modeled) |
U.S. Job Estimates 2025 (Modeled) |
U.S. Job Estimates 2030 (Modeled) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar (PV) | 293,874 | 384,000–529,000 | 509,000–757,000 |
| Wind (land-based) | 116,817 | 132,000–161,000 | 143,000–219,000 |
| Battery Storage (grid-connected) | 66,751 | 126,000–181,000 | 197,000–376,000 |
| Energy Efficiency (utility cost-effective measures in buildings) | 65,313 | 167,000 | 283,000 |
The researchers identified the four key energy technologies in the report due to their strong job growth prospects and widespread geographic deployment potential. State Energy Offices across the nation have also expressed specific interest in these technologies and their corresponding workforce needs. The manufacturing, installation, and operation of these four technologies offer a wealth of job opportunities comprised of a range of occupations at every education level and across many industries, from manufacturing and construction to utilities and professional services. As a result, these clean energy jobs provide accessibility, geographic diversity, high wages, potential union membership, and upward mobility—all of which contribute to vibrant economic activity and comfort and stability for American workers.
Robust and plentiful clean energy jobs are equally important for economic growth and our efforts to combat climate change. By supporting these jobs through investments in clean energy deployment and workforce development, we can turn the threat of climate change into an opportunity. DOE looks forward to continuing its support for states' clean energy and workforce initiatives through its many programs, funding opportunities, and technical assistance offerings.