Think environmental jobs don't pay? Think again. Concern about energy dependence and global warming is driving historic investment in environmental solutions. Public funding and private-sector entrepreneurs are joining forces to create opportunities for trained environmental professionals. Going green is no longer just the right thing to do -- it's also the most financially savvy.
A green future
Green jobs are set to flourish in the new economy. "The 'green economy' is exploding into a billion-dollar sector," observes environmental leader Van Jones. Consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas offers data to support the point: "'green-collar' jobs are expected to experience explosive growth at a rate of 1.3 million per year through 2030." Alternative energy alone should create more than 20 million jobs worldwide over the next twenty years, according to a United Nations report issued in 2008. The 2008 economic downturn could delay the green-job tsunami, but the message is clear: Our economic future is green.
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Green-collar career with a white-collar wage
The right career training can help you get in on the ground floor of the environmental trend. Green careers promise more than a clear conscience; with investment dollars pouring into the eco-sector, you'll find white-collar salaries to boot. According to The Christian Science Monitor, green-collar opportunities could "rival those of the dot-com boom in the 1990s."
Here's a look at green careers that will put plenty of green in your bank account. Salary information is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics except where noted:
1. Venture capitalist
Venture capitalists invest in promising entrepreneurial ventures, providing crucial funds and support for startups or growing companies. In the 1990s, VCs fueled the rise of the high-tech sector. Today, venture capitalists are focusing on the next big thing in "clean technologies" and other green business ventures.
To become a green venture capitalist, start with a bachelor's degree in business. Some fund managers go on to complete a Master of Business Administration as well. Many schools offer "green" M.B.A. degrees, which focus on environmental ventures. Venture capitalists can expect a healthy return from their educational investment. Richard Stuebi, senior energy fellow at The Cleveland Foundation, observes: "Probably the highest-paying jobs in the green arena are venture capitalists themselves. You can make probably $300,000-$400,000 as a venture capitalist in green." The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't offer salary statistics for venture capitalists, however salary.com reports a median annual salary of $158,222.
2. Environmental engineer
Investors are looking to engineers to solve many of our most pressing environmental problems. Environmental engineers draw on their training in biology and chemistry to remedy problems such as water and air pollution, groundwater contamination, and hazardous waste disposal. They may work on brownfield redevelopment, develop recycling plants or create innovative ways to prevent global warming and ozone depletion.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is the basic qualification for a job as an environmental engineer. If you're balancing your education with work and family obligations, consider starting with a two-year online associate degree in engineering technology. With this degree, you can start work as an engineering technician while you complete an online bachelor's degree program. Median salary in 2008: $77,970
3. Green product designer
Consumers are greening their lifestyles and choosing sustainably-produced goods that help them reduce their carbon footprint. Product designers work with engineers, materials scientists and marketing specialists to create eco-friendly products. From toys to toilet paper, product designers are discovering ways to satisfy the insatiable market demand for green goods.
Product designers typically begin their careers with training in industrial design. A bachelor's degree is the norm, but environmental specialists may increase their opportunities by pursuing a master's degree in green design or engineering. Median salary in 2008: $61,580.
4. Environmental science technician
Environmental science and protection technicians rank among the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's top thirty fastest-growing careers. The field is set to grow by nearly 30 percent between 2006 and 2016. About 80 percent of the jobs created will be in environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance. Environmental technicians help enforce environmental regulations and prevent environmental damage by collecting and analyzing water, soil and air samples.
An associate degree in applied science or environmental science is all it takes to start work as an environmental field scientist or technician. Choose an online degree, and continue on to your bachelor's degree in environmental science. Technicians earned a median salary of $43,180 in 2008. By upgrading your career with a bachelor's degree, you could increase your earning power to $65,290, the 2008 median salary for environmental scientists.
5. Solar panel installation manager
Solar photovoltaic power -- the generation of electricity via solar panels -- is claiming a growing share of the electricity market. The U.N. predicts that there will be 6.3 million jobs in solar-panel installation and maintenance worldwide by 2030. Noting a "skills gap" between trained workers and demand for solar energy, green specialists are calling for HVAC technicians and construction specialists to upgrade their skill set. Van Jones observes: "green-collar jobs will be there waiting for anyone who gets trained to do them."
For a white-collar salary in solar photovoltaic power, aim for a management role. Jones advises people with no prior construction experience to "get in on the ground floor of the solar industry now, where they can be installers today; they'll become managers in five years and owners in ten." A certificate in solar PV installation or HVAC technology can get you started in the field. As you start work in solar PV installation and maintenance, continue your education with an online associate or bachelor's degree in construction management or construction technology. Some programs offer specialized training in green building technologies, including solar PV systems. Median 2008 salary for management-level construction specialists: $89,770.
With environmental jobs paying white-collar salaries, your career future is greener than ever. Today's green-collar jobs offer more than a clean conscience. By helping promote a cleaner, greener future, you'll also set yourself up to earn plenty of green and secure your future in the new economy.
