As the U.S. economy sees modest growth, clean energy jobs are skyrocketing, outpacing other sectors and reshaping the American workforce. The latest DOE report reveals a sharp increase in clean energy employment, with solar and wind leading the charge.
Clean energy jobs in the United States are experiencing unprecedented growth, far outpacing the broader job market. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), unveiling that clean energy jobs surged by 142,000 in 2023, marking a 4.2 percent increase. This rate is more than double the overall U.S. job growth rate of 2 percent, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s energy landscape.
This surge in clean energy employment is largely driven by federal policies and investments under the Biden-Harris administration. These efforts include the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure investments that have spurred private sector contributions to American-made energy. As a result, clean energy now accounts for more than half of the new jobs created in the energy sector, reflecting the administration’s commitment to a sustainable future.
The rapid expansion of clean energy jobs is directly tied to substantial federal investments in climate, clean energy, and manufacturing. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm highlighted the impact of these policies, stating, “We are now starting to see the job impacts of investments made through the infrastructure and inflation reduction laws—first in construction and as America builds more of these factories, we’ll see hundreds of thousands more.”
These investments are not just limited to renewable energy projects; they extend to the broader energy sector, including electric power generation, energy efficiency, fuels, motor vehicles, and transmission, distribution, and storage. The energy sector as a whole added over 250,000 jobs in 2023, with a staggering 56 percent of these jobs in clean energy.
While clean energy jobs are growing nationwide, certain states are leading the charge. California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois boast the highest number of clean energy jobs. California leads with the most total clean energy jobs, followed closely by Texas. These states have long been at the forefront of clean energy adoption, supported by favorable policies, abundant natural resources, and strong investment climates.
However, the fastest growth rates in clean energy employment are emerging from other states. Idaho, for example, saw a 7.7 percent increase in clean energy jobs, the highest in the nation. Texas and New Mexico followed with growth rates of 6.0 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively. This rapid expansion underscores the nationwide potential for clean energy to create jobs and drive economic growth, even in states not traditionally known for their clean energy sectors.
The solar and wind industries are at the forefront of this clean energy boom. According to the USEER, solar jobs grew by 5.3 percent in 2023, while wind energy employment increased by 4.5 percent. These sectors are not only contributing to job creation but are also critical to achieving the DOE’s goal of doubling electricity generation from clean energy sources by 2030.
The construction sector is also benefiting significantly from this clean energy transition. In 2023, energy construction jobs grew by 4.5 percent, adding nearly 90,000 new positions. This growth was almost double the economy-wide construction employment growth of 2.3 percent, reflecting the demand for infrastructure to support renewable energy projects and grid upgrades.
An encouraging trend in clean energy employment is the rise in unionization. For the first time, unionization rates in the clean energy sector, at 12.4 percent, surpassed the average rate in the energy sector, driven by rapid growth in unionized construction and utility industries. This trend is crucial for ensuring that clean energy jobs are not only plentiful but also provide good wages and job security.
The clean energy workforce is also becoming increasingly diverse. Latino and Hispanic workers accounted for nearly one-third of the new energy jobs created in 2023, with 79,000 positions filled by workers from these communities. Additionally, veterans make up 9 percent of the clean energy workforce, a higher representation than in the overall U.S. workforce. The sector is also attracting younger workers, with 29 percent of the workforce under the age of 30.
The economic impact of this clean energy job surge cannot be overstated. As the U.S. transitions to a clean energy economy, these jobs are revitalizing communities, particularly those previously dependent on fossil fuel industries. The shift is not just creating new employment opportunities; it’s also paving the way for economic diversification and resilience.
Environmentally, the expansion of clean energy jobs aligns with broader goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The DOE projects that the share of electricity generated from clean sources will double by the end of the decade, driven by growth in solar, wind, and battery storage. This shift is essential for achieving the administration’s target of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035.
Despite the remarkable growth in clean energy jobs, challenges remain. Supply chain issues, policy uncertainties, and the need for workforce training could slow the momentum. However, with sustained investment and continued policy support, the U.S. is well-positioned to lead the global clean energy economy.
Looking ahead, the DOE anticipates continued growth in clean energy jobs, particularly in sectors like solar, wind, and electric vehicles. As more factories and infrastructure projects come online, the job creation potential is immense. The success of these efforts will depend on the nation’s ability to scale up clean energy production and maintain a competitive edge in the global market.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm stated, “The data clearly show that clean energy means jobs—good jobs, union jobs, and jobs retained—in communities across the country as we race to dominate the global clean energy economy.”
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