If you’re interested in the environment, there are several jobs green careers that can help you make a positive impact. Each job in the green sector allows you to make a difference as it relates to the Earth, sustainability and conservation at large. Whether you want to make a hands-on contribution or help from afar, there are many jobs that can use your unique skill set. In this article, we define what a green career is and provide you with a list of green jobs, their national average salaries and primary duties.
Related: 20 Jobs You Can Pursue with an Environmental Science Degree
What are green careers?
Green careers are professional jobs that contribute to environmental preservation, conservation and sustainability. Individuals with these types of jobs are green-collar employees. Their job duties vary, but they generally promote environmentally conscious decisions and policy and aim to improve a variety of environmental issues such as water and air pollution, recycling, energy and gas.
Related: 10 Sustainability Careers That Make a Difference
20 green careers
There are several employment opportunities for you to make a positive contribution to the planet. Once you understand the options available, it’s easier to find a green career that matches your skill set and expertise. Consider this list of green jobs, their national average salaries and primary duties to help you make an advantageous career decision:
1. Recycling worker
National average salary: $12.87 per hour
Primary duties: Recycling workers sort, process and recycle various materials and products. They also separate certain products, remove hazardous materials and operate shredders to recycle parts of old appliances or products for future use.
2. Refuse collector
National average salary: $14.39 per hour
Primary duties: Also known as a “garbage man,” a refuse collector picks up trash and recycled items following a specific route in a city or town. They drive around using a garbage or recycling truck and use it to pick up waste along their designated route.
3. Agricultural equipment technician
National average salary: $17.14 per hour
Primary duties: Agricultural equipment technicians assemble, test and design farm machinery for a variety of uses. Some of these uses include feeding animals, planting, harvesting and irrigating.
4. Environmental technician
National average salary: $17.14 per hour
Primary duties: Environmental technicians look for sources of pollution and anything that could contaminate the environment or negatively affect public health. To do this, they collect samples and perform various tests.
5. Solar installer
National average salary: $19.46 per hour
Primary duties: Also known as photovoltaic installers, solar installers install solar panels on various businesses, homes or plots of land. As they install these panels, they ensure they meet safety codes.
6. Wind turbine technician
National average salary: $22.64 per hour
Primary duties: Wind turbine technicians inspect and repair wind turbine towers. They ensure the turbines are functioning and maintaining their physical integrity. Wind turbine technicians also test various components and systems including those that are electrical or mechanical.
7. Farm manager
National average salary: $49,527 per year
Primary duties: Farm managers have several tasks that involve the general maintenance of a farm. Some of their responsibilities include overseeing the farm staff, crops and livestock. They also purchase necessary supplies and manage the budget with the aim of yielding a profit.
8. Environmental specialist
National average salary: $52,790 per year
Primary duties: Environmental specialists determine how outside forces affect the environment. They identify these issues and find solutions to improve the environment overall. To do this, they put their analytical, communication and problem-solving skills to use.
9. Water resources engineer
National average salary: $54,950 per year
Primary duties: Water resources engineers design and implement water and waste treatment systems like dams and reservoirs. Their work is an extension of civil engineering. Water resources engineers also foresee project costs and compliance with various safety regulations.
10. Landscape architect
National average salary: $66,535 per year
Primary duties: Landscape architects design the landscape for homes, gardens, buildings and facilities. They meet with clients, engineers and other architects to assess the work that needs to be done. Based on their meetings, they prepare a site plan and determine a project’s cost and specifications.
Related: Learn About Being a Landscape Architect
11. Environmental scientist
National average salary: $68,099 per year
Primary duties: Environmental scientists determine potential threats to the environment by collecting air, soil, water and food samples. They analyze the data and other research to evaluate the negative impacts on the Earth. Based on their research, they create a plan to prevent and or fix these environmental problems from reoccurring.
12. Air quality engineer
National average salary: $70,157 per year
Primary duties: Air quality engineers monitor and test the quality of the air to pinpoint hazards or toxins. If they find any environmental threats, they create a plan to fix the situation and prevent poor air quality in the future.
13. Compliance officer
National average salary: $77,075 per year
Primary duties: Compliance officers working within the environmental sector ensure obedience to environmental laws. This includes laws for water, gas, oil and energy. Compliance officers also offer assistance to environmental systems and projects.
14. Environmental manager
National average salary: $77,280 per year
Primary duties: Environmental managers promote sustainability by overseeing the environmental actions of various companies and organizations. They ensure these companies follow environmental laws regarding waste, air quality and other natural resources.
15. Environmental engineer
National average salary: $81,259 per year
Primary duties: Environmental engineers create solutions for various environmental issues through the use of chemistry, biology and soil science. They help solve problems related to water pollution, air quality, recycling and other environmental matters.
Related: Learn About Being an Environmental Engineer
16. Environmental health and safety officer
National average salary: $85,878 per year
Primary duties: Environmental health and safety officers create and implement health and safety plans and oversee related documentation and data. They evaluate the environment and ensure compliance with government safety regulations. Environmental health and safety officers also collect hazardous materials samples and recommend changes that can help create a better environment overall.
17. Energy manager
National average salary: $87,559 per year
Primary duties: Energy managers monitor the energy efficiency of a company, organization or facility. They evaluate their conservation practices and monitor their energy consumption to create a plan that can improve overall energy efficiency.
18. Sustainability engineer
National average salary: $91,726 per year
Primary duties: Sustainability engineers create products, buildings and various systems to meet a set of sustainability standards or specifications. They also ensure these projects use energy sustainably.
19. Nuclear engineer
National average salary: $94,826 per year
Primary duties: Nuclear engineers develop, monitor and operate nuclear plants that produce power. They ensure these plants are functioning and that the design, construction and overall operational practices meet necessary safety regulations.
Related: Learn About Being a Nuclear Engineer
20. Civil engineer
National average salary: $87,342 per year
Primary duties: Civil engineers supervise and design major public construction projects. They also ensure project feasibility by evaluating their budget demands and design practicality.
Related: Learn About Being a Civil Engineer
Tips for getting a green career
Once you understand the green jobs available, you can start planning your future career. Take these tips into consideration as you enter the green workforce:
Earn a green degree
Find an environmentally friendly program to join in college. Determine your preferred field that aligns with your career aspirations. Examples of degrees you can get include environmental science, natural resources management and policy and conservation biology.
Use green job boards
If you just started to look for a job, use online job boards devoted to green careers. These websites can help narrow your search and point you in the right direction for careers that align with your green experience and skills.
Get certified or join a training program
To advance in your career, it’s important to learn new skills in your field. Research relevant certifications or training programs that are prominent in the environmental sector. Completing these programs can help you expand your knowledge and make you more valuable to prospective employers.
