Here’s something most career counselors don’t lead with: some of the fastest-growing jobs in the entire country right now are in clean energy — and you can get into them without four years of college debt.
The U.S. Department of Energy reported that clean energy employment grew by 142,000 jobs in 2023, growing at more than twice the rate of overall U.S. employment. That’s not a blip. That’s a trend.
And the jobs aren’t all lab coats and engineering degrees. Wind turbine service technicians and solar panel installers are among the fastest-growing occupations in the country, and those are roles you can often get into through trade school, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training. No four-year degree required.
Why does that matter? Because a lot of young people assume the only path to a decent paycheck runs through a university. It doesn’t. The WorkRise Network notes that green energy growth is creating real opportunities for workers without postsecondary credentials to land higher-paying jobs. That’s a big deal if college isn’t your thing — or just isn’t realistic right now.
Pay in the energy industry varies based on your role, location, experience, and the specific sector you’re in. So no, nobody can hand you a guaranteed salary number. But the direction is clear: these jobs tend to pay more than a lot of entry-level work, and the demand for these skills is going up, not down.
If you’re in high school and trying to figure out your next move, it’s worth looking into trade programs or certifications in solar installation, wind technology, or electrical work with a renewable energy focus. These paths exist. They’re growing. And they’re not being talked about enough.