“Green” has become a huge buzzword in the 21st century. Green as a catch-all adjective applies to any number of things: Trash, transportation, the producing and usage of products.
The labor market sits on the precipice of a boom in the “green” economy – but what does that mean?
The word green itself invokes imagery of trees, perhaps the wildlife that inhabit woodlands, and nature. And, indeed, green jobs inherently benefit the natural world around us.
However, getting into the green economy doesn’t necessarily mean trading in business casual for hiking boots and cargo shorts.
Some great green-job opportunities allow workers to transition into a future wave without abandoning their current industries. Positions also vary in minimum requirements for entry, while spanning a variety of fields.
Science plays a central role in the green economy, with some of the highest potential income in such fields as Biochemist ($91,190); Environmental Engineer ($86,800); and Meteorologist ($92,070).
But the green economy also offers promising opportunities in business and operations. The highest annual median wage among CareerCast.com’s green jobs to watch in 2018 is Natural Sciences Manager at $118,970, a position that oversees the operational side. This top green job supervises the work of scientists, direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
For those looking to make an ecological impact in industries outside of the sciences, Sustainability Managers make $69,400 in annual median salary, and with a growth outlook of 11%, are among the many eco-friendly careers with positive hiring forecasts.
CareerCast.com’s Jobs Rated report on green jobs finds the projected growth outlook for most ecologically friendly careers at 10% or higher over the next eight years.
A pair of green jobs in construction and manufacturing – two industries with consistently turbulent hiring for the past three decades – are expected to about double in employment by 2026. Wind Turbine Technicians are projected to have 96% more job prospects, while Solar Photovoltaic Installers are forecasted for a 105% growth outlook.
These numbers suggest that the green economy is the future of the job market – and green jobs are the future of planet Earth.
