Nobody wants to go to school and study for years to prep for a career just to find out that that career doesn't exist anymore. With robots coming for our jobs (a human wrote this article, not ChatGPT - we swear), you're probably wondering which areas are safe to pursue.
We've got one word for you: Energy.
People will always need power. How else are we supposed to scroll TikTok on our phones or binge Netflix on our computers all day?
The energy sector delivers the juice we need. Oil and gas used to be the norm, but the industry is evolving as consumers get into green energy forms like solar and wind power.
Whichever power sources we turn to, we'll always need energy.
That's good news for recent or soon-to-be graduates like yourself: There are loads of opportunities in energy - and a lot of them pay top dollar!
Read on for a roundup of top energy jobs, including career descriptions and education requirements.
Job outlook for the energy sector
We could give you loads of stats about the energy boom. But the TL;DR is: The renewable energy sector is here to stay - and it's growing.
Renewable energy jobs look especially promising. On the flip side, fossil fuel unemployment is on the rise.
Focus on net-zero-aligned jobs in fields like biofuels, nuclear power, and other emissions-free forms of energy consumption to maximize your prospects.
There's a lot of diversity when it comes to renewable energy sources. You could install solar panels, for example, or configure wind turbines. Working with electric vehicles also falls under this umbrella.
The point is: There's really an energy job to suit all kinds of interests and educational requirements. If the thought of a four-year degree makes you cringe, there's still an energy job out there for you. We get into it below.
6 top energy jobs
The energy field is big, covering everything from oil and gas to solar power. Here are some of the best energy industry jobs worth pursuing.
Petroleum engineer
Petroleum engineers develop methods for extracting gas and oil from inside the Earth. Their duties include developing drilling plans, designing extraction equipment, and ensuring equipment is installed and operating correctly.
This is an on-site job that involves visiting oil wells, power plants, and drill sites. If you want a boots-on-the-ground gig that means getting your hands dirty, this is for you.
Fast facts:
- Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in petroleum, mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering
- Salary range. Median annual wage of $130,850 as of May 2021
- Job outlook. Job growth of 8% is projected through 2031
Geoscientist
Were you obsessed with geodes as a kid? Was collecting seashells your favorite beach activity? We've got the gig for you.
Geoscientists work in outdoor settings studying physical aspects of the Earth - like soil composition - to help find and construct energy sources. Duties might include carrying out field surveys, running tests on field samples, and creating geologic maps and charts.
Fast facts:
- Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in geoscience or a related field, like geology, Earth science, or chemistry
- Salary range. Median annual wage of $83,680 as of May 2021 Job outlook.
- Job outlook. Job growth of 5% is projected through 2031
Civil engineer
Civil engineers build, design, and oversee civil engineering products, including those related to energy production. Examples include water supply systems, dams, and bridges. Duties may include drafting construction plans, analyzing energy efficiency costs, and ensuring construction meets regulations. If you want to stand back, look at a huge bridge, and say, "I made that," this is your gig. Fast facts: Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in civil engineering Salary range. Median annual wage of $88,050 as of May 2021 Job outlook. Job growth of 7% is projected through 2031
Solar engineer
Solar engineers design and oversee the construction of solar energy projects, like those photovoltaic (PV) panels you've probably seen on rooftops.
Duties may include designing and testing PV components, evaluating them for cost-efficiency and effectiveness, and general quality control. If you're passionate about sustainable energy and going green, you can support the cause with this job.
Fast facts:
- Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering
- Salary range. Median annual wage of $77,229 per year
- Job outlook. Although there aren't specific figures for solar engineers, the solar industry is anticipated to grow (for example, PV installer jobs will grow 27% through 2031)
Chemical engineer
Do you look great in a white lab coat? Consider this gig. Chemical engineers apply principles of physics, biology, and chemistry to optimize fuel and energy production. They may work in industrial plants or oil refineries.
Duties include conducting research to improve energy manufacturing, establishing safety protocols, designing equipment, and troubleshooting problems.
Fast facts:
- Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or similar
- Salary range. Median annual wage of $105,550 as of May 2021
- Job outlook. Job growth of 14% is projected through 2031
Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers apply principles of biology, chemistry, and soil science to help solve environmental problems related to energy production.
Duties may include preparing environmental investigation reports, designing environmental protection projects, and updating permits and operating protocols. This is another job that will have you getting your hands dirty in the field.
Translation: If sitting behind a desk makes you want to cry, this is a good pick.
Fast facts:
- Educational requirements. Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or similar field (like general, chemical, or civil engineering)
- Salary range. Median annual wage of $96,820 as of May 2021
- Job outlook. Job growth of 4% is projected through 2031
What is the highest-paying job in energy?
At the end of the day, you're doing a job because you want to earn as much as possible. So let's talk about money. What are the best-paying jobs in energy? Real talk: Fossil fuel employment is going down, but jobs in petroleum remain among the highest-paying professions.
For example, a petroleum engineer has a median annual salary of $130,850, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of May 2021). The lowest 10% of petroleum engineers earn less than $78,390, while the highest-earning 10% earn upward of $208,000. So, even if you're not a top earner, you're making bank. And if you're in that top 10%? You're set.
But what if you don't want to work in fossil fuels? No worries: Great-paying jobs exist in renewable energy, too. Wind energy operations managers are among the top earners, with a median annual salary of $124,650.
What education do you typically need for energy jobs?
Now for the best part: If you're not exactly a huge fan of school, that doesn't mean you can't get an energy job.
You don't need a fancy Ph.D.; you can get into many fields, including environmental engineering, chemical engineering, and solar engineering, with just a bachelor's.
Not interested in getting a four-year degree? No worries. Some jobs, like a wind farm site manager, require just a high school diploma.
That said, we've got to be real with you: An advanced education will usually open up more job opportunities. For example, a master's degree can open opportunities for more senior-level management positions (and more money).
What are the top schools for a career in energy?
If you think a career in energy is for you, the first step is to get the schooling you need. Luckily, you can choose from a ton of programs.
Check out these schools:
- Rice University. Grab your cowboy boots and head for the Lone Star State. Located in Houston, Texas, Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business is known as a funnel to the petroleum industry. It's famous for its business plan competition, which includes a pillar for energy and clean energy technology.
- University of Texas at Austin. Austin is famous for many things, from startups to music. It's also a great place to kick off your energy career. The UT Austin McCombs School of Business is also a target of energy companies eager to hire. It features concentrations in topics like petroleum accounting, energy law, oil and gas taxation, and more.
- Texas Tech University. This list might seem Texas-heavy, but there's a good reason for that: Texas is a major oil state. The Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech offers a high-level business education in fields like geopolitics of energy and energy markets evaluation. This school is also well known for its mentorship program. If you're eyeing top-tier exec jobs in energy, start here.
- Engineering heavyweights. Many energy jobs benefit from an engineering degree. If you're eyeing one of these fields, focus on strong engineering schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Plus, we can't lie: Having these famous names on your resume always looks good.
- Sustainability concentrations. If you want to go the eco-conscious route, check out sustainability certifications and clean energy credentials that you can add to your base degree. Columbia University, the University of California, San Diego, the University of Michigan, and the University of Colorado, Boulder all offer programs in sustainability.
Quickly and easily compare colleges and universities with College Rover
The energy sector is always changing, especially as people start to stress about climate change and look for eco-friendly energy systems. The good news? There are plenty of career opportunities for you to explore, from energy engineers to natural gas experts, power plant operators, and more.
If you want to stay on the cutting edge (and who doesn't), look into renewable energy. The renewable energy industry is growing thanks to increased consumer demand, as people become more aware of climate change and seek clean forms of energy. Technological advancements also play a part.
Your career choice can help you pick the right educational path. A high school diploma might be enough for some entry-level jobs, like a solar panel installer.
However, an advanced degree like a bachelor's degree or master's degree will usually open more doors - and lead to high-paying jobs.
Not sure which school to attend? College Rover has the resources you need to compare programs, so you can start planning your energy career path.
