The Fastest-Growing and Highest-Paying Sustainable Jobs

In honor of Earth Day, Indeed conducted a review of green job postings to determine the fastest-growing and highest-paying sustainable jobs on the market today. If you are looking for a meaningful career that contributes to the health of the planet, the following lists provide a variety of unique opportunities. Studies show that people who do meaningful work enjoy their work and feel more fulfilled. 

When asked about her job as a watershed field technician for Kaua`i’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife Kalli Harshman said, “Every day is an adventure, from arriving at worksites via helicopter to camping away from civilization and hiking in wild terrain. Working to protect threatened native plant habitats on Kaua`i takes courage and a willingness to be uncomfortable, but the work leaves me feeling grounded and connected with the forest in such a special way. I feel blessed to be able to say I love my job.”

In this article, we will take a look at a variety of sustainable jobs and the skills needed for each position.

Related: 10 Sustainability Careers That Make a Difference

Top 7 fastest-growing sustainable jobs 

In this section, you’ll find a list of the fastest-growing sustainable jobs from March 2019 to March 2022¹. The list is in order starting with the fastest-growing job. You will also find a general description of each job and the national average salary. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link for each job title below:

1. Solar consultant

% growth in job postings: 113%
National average salary: $119,369 per year

Primary duties: A solar consultant is a sales representative responsible for educating potential clients about the benefits of solar energy with the intent of generating interest in a purchase. They scout potential clients, evaluate their energy needs and are responsible for generating proposals and contracts. Most solar consultant positions are commission-based, don’t require previous experience in solar and don’t require post-secondary education.

Related: 11 Jobs in the Solar Power Industry

2. Solar installer

% growth in job postings: 87%
National average salary: $62,993 per year

Primary duties: Solar installers are responsible for traveling to job sites and installing panels that convert sunlight into energy. They ensure the installation site is suitable for installation, make any accommodations necessary, install solar panels and connect them to an energy system. Solar installers work mostly outdoors and are often required to lift heavy things, kneel, crouch and climb ladders.

Read more: Guide To Becoming a Solar Installer 

3. Environmental manager

% growth in job postings: 38%
National average salary: $91,292 per year 

Primary duties: Environmental managers work with organizations to ensure they are compliant with regulations regarding sustainable practices as established by governing agencies. They advise on matters such as how to curtail pollution, reduce or properly dispose of waste and reduce energy consumption. Environmental managers meet with clients and audit their operations providing feedback and strategies on any changes that are needed on an environmental level.

Read more: Learn How To Become an Environmental Manager

4. Environmental health and safety specialist

% growth in job postings: 28%
National average salary: $84,913 per year

Primary duties: Environmental health and safety specialists create and enforce guidelines for a variety of different organizations to ensure that they are maintaining environments in line with health, safety and environmental regulations. This position aims to protect the people within the organizations, the people they serve and the planet. Duties include overseeing food handling, sanitizing, waste disposal, pollution, etc. 

Related: 25 Environmental Health and Safety Jobs

Honorable mentions

While the positions below haven’t seen the same level of growth as the top four, we wanted to share some notable job titles that are trending upwards.

5. Arborist

% growth in job postings: 4%
National average salary: $74,810 per year

Primary duties: Arborists work with a variety of clients to plant and maintain greenery like trees and shrubs. They use their knowledge in botany, biology and/or horticulture to ensure the trees in their care are healthy and safe. Arborists mostly work outside and should be comfortable with high altitudes as well as operating tools and machinery. A college degree is not necessary for this role but can help in securing a job.

Read more: How To Become an Arborist (With Steps, Skills and FAQs)

6. Environmental specialist

% growth in job postings: 3%
National average salary: $68,874 per year

Primary duties:  An environmental specialist is responsible for tracking the impact of a population on the environment and offering strategies and solutions to reduce negative effects. They collect soil, water and air samples to gauge pollution levels and develop plans to resolve current and potential environmental issues. This position requires expertise, most employers look for proven work experience and a Master’s degree.

Related: 36 Environmental Specialist Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

7. Environmental technician

% growth in job postings: 2%
National average salary: $42,430 per year

Primary duties: Environmental technicians work under the direction of environmental specialists performing laboratory and field tests to protect against the contamination of the environment by determining sources of pollution in a variety of different industries. They help to evaluate and prevent environmental issues and ensure governmental regulations are being met. Technicians work outdoors often collecting soil, water and air samples.

Read more: 6 Steps To Becoming an Environmental Technician

The 25 highest-paying sustainable jobs

Here are some of the highest-paying sustainable jobs² on the market listed from highest to lowest salary—click on the salary link for the most updated salary.

1. Solar consultant

National Average Salary: $119,369 per year
Primary duties: A solar consultant is a sales representative responsible for educating potential clients about the benefits of solar energy with the intent of generating interest in a purchase. They scout potential clients, evaluate their energy needs and are responsible for generating proposals and contracts. Most solar consultant positions are commission-based, don’t require previous experience in solar and don’t require post-secondary education.

Related: 14 Renewable Energy Careers

2. Environmental health and safety officer

National Average Salary: $97,734 per year
Primary duties: Environmental health and safety officers create and enforce guidelines for a variety of different organizations to ensure that they are maintaining environments in line with health, safety and environmental regulations. This position aims to protect the people within the organizations they work for, the people they serve and the planet. Their duties include overseeing food handling, sanitizing, waste disposal, pollution, etc. 

Related: How To Obtain an Environmental Health and Safety Certification

3. Sustainable engineer

National Average Salary: $89,908 per year
Primary duties: Sustainable engineers design projects to meet sustainability specifications such as reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency and/or using recycled materials. They work in a variety of industries such as construction or manufacturing and are product-focused. A bachelor’s degree is required for this role.

4. Energy consultant

National Average Salary: $88,428 per year
Primary duties: Energy consultants are responsible for evaluating a client’s energy consumption and advising them on how to reduce their energy usage. They can work for big corporations hoping to neutralize their carbon footprint or homeowners looking to do the same. This job requires careful attention to detail and data analysis.

Read more: How To Become an Energy Consultant

5. Energy engineer

National Average Salary: $85,047 per year
Primary duties: Energy engineers aim to develop solutions to reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption. They can be found working in renewable energy fields like solar or wind, but are not limited to those fields. Problem-solving is a key skill for this position. Like all other engineering positions mentioned in this article, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for most energy engineering positions.

Read more: How To Become an Energy Engineer in 5 Steps

6. Civil engineer

National Average Salary: $79,787 per year
Primary duties: Civil engineers are responsible for designing the built environment by planning the construction of infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, energy systems, etc. They work in a variety of different environments and often spend a large part of their time on-site conducting investigations. Civil engineers need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and the ability to manage a project from inception to completion.

Read more: How To Become a Civil Engineer in 6 Steps

7. Environmental engineer

National Average Salary: $78,960 per year
Primary duties: Environmental engineers develop solutions for environmental problems. They work for a variety of different industries reviewing data and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Most employers look for candidates with strong problem-solving skills and a Bachelor’s degree in environmental, general or civil engineering.

Read more: How to Become an Environmental Engineer

8. Ecologist

National Average Salary: $76,481 per year
Primary duties: Ecologists study the connection between different environments and the organisms that inhabit them. Based on their observations, ecologists can help predict the impact of construction work and how to mitigate any unwanted effects. Ecologists also work to understand the effects of invasive species and provide solutions. Typically ecologists split their time between working in the field and in the office. Uncomfortable situations such as extreme weather or rough terrain are not uncommon. Ecologists are also responsible for writing reports on their findings, so writing skills are key for this position. 

Read more: Learn About Being an Ecologist

9. Water project manager

National Average Salary: $75,535 per year
Primary duties: Water project managers are responsible for designing and delivering plans for a variety of water-related items such as utility pipelines, treatment plants and dam/levee construction. They are typically required to have a background in engineering and require copious experience in water treatment.

10. Biologist 

National Average Salary: $75,285 per year
Primary duties: Biologists collect and analyze data to understand different organisms and their relationship to their environment. They regularly collect samples and conduct experiments keeping detailed logs of their findings. There are various specializations such as molecular, marine and field. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement to pursue a career as a biologist.

Read more: What Does a Biologist Do? Fields of Study and How To Become One 

11. Geologist

National Average Salary: $71,944 per year
Primary duties: Geologists study the earth’s materials and the processes of the earth that make certain areas more vulnerable than others. By studying earth’s processes like volcanic reactions or earthquakes, Geologists can provide valuable life-saving insight into natural disasters. Geologists regularly conduct research, collect samples, analyze data and share their findings in research papers or conferences.

Read more: How To Become a Geologist  

12. Environmental planner

National Average Salary: $70,153 per year
Primary duties: Environmental planners asses building projects to identify potential adverse environmental impacts. They help develop solutions for any perceived negative impacts in line with environmental codes and regulations and aid in procuring environmental permitting. Environmental planners often need to write reports and other documents, so writing is a crucial skill for this role.

Read more: A Career in Sustainability: How To Become an Environmental Planner

13. Sustainability consultant

National Average Salary: $67,254 per year
Primary duties: Sustainability consultants provide advice for companies and businesses that are looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Like most consultants, their work starts with an audit and analysis of current practices and the role of the consultant is to suggest solutions to reduce waste and consumption of vital resources. There are many paths to becoming a sustainability consultant, but a bachelor’s degree in a related field is typically required.

Read more: Learn About Working as a Sustainability Consultant

14. Urban planner

National Average Salary: $65,143 per year
Primary Duties: Urban planners assess different community needs and create land development strategies with specific goals in mind. Some urban planners specialize in sustainable development and incorporate things such as renewable energy into their designs as well as other sustainable methods. Urban planners typically work in fast-growing cities and tend to divide their time between the field and the office. 

Read more: How To Become an Urban Planner

15. Water treatment specialist

National Average Salary: $64,371 per year
Primary duties: Water treatment specialists operate and maintain water treatment equipment to ensure the production of safe water for consumers. They keep detailed records and conduct regular water quality monitoring, complaint investigations and emergency responses. Most positions do not require post-secondary education.

Related: 13 Unique Water Industry Jobs You Can Pursue

16. Solar technician

National Average Salary: $62,505 per year
Primary duties: Solar technicians, also known as solar installers are responsible for traveling to job sites and installing panels that convert sunlight into energy. They ensure the installation site is suitable for installation, make any accommodations necessary, install solar panels and connect them to an energy system. Solar installers work mostly outdoors and may be required to lift heavy things, kneel, crouch and climb ladders.

Read more: Solar Energy Technician: Responsibilities and Requirements

17. Director of environmental services

National Average Salary: $59,291 per year
Primary duties: A director of environmental services is responsible for ensuring employees within an organization are adhering to health and safety regulations having to do with cleanliness and sanitation. They also identify practices that are harmful to the environment and work to find solutions that minimize the harm. This position can be found in a variety of settings such as hospitals, labs or retirement communities. 

Read more: How To Become a Director of Environmental Services (With FAQs)

18. Environmental scientist

National Average Salary: $58,840 per year
Primary duties: Environmental scientists specialize in developing solutions to protect human health and negative effects on the environment—examples include climate change, wildlife preservation and land conservation. Day-to-day tasks include collecting and analyzing samples, developing conservation programs and writing proposals.

Read more: What Is an Environmental Scientist?

19. Arborist/Forester

National Average Salary:  $58,632 per year
Primary duties: Arborists work with a variety of clients to plant and maintain greenery like trees and shrubs. They use their knowledge in botany, biology and/or horticulture to ensure the trees in their care are healthy and safe. Arborists mostly work outside and should be comfortable with high altitudes as well as with operating tools and machinery. A college degree is not necessary for this role, but can help in securing a job. Foresters are responsible for maintaining tree health, aiding in reforestation and assisting in wildfire prevention. They assist in the sale of forest products and conserve wildlife habitats. A forester spends the majority of their time outside engaging in physical labor but is also responsible for developing forest management plans. Most positions seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in forestry, but not all.

Read more: How To Become a Forester (With FAQ)

20. Wind turbine technician 

National Average Salary: $58,415 per year
Primary duties: Wind turbine technicians maintain wind turbines and perform complicated repairs as needed. Technicians are regularly required to wear harnesses and work at great heights. In addition to maintenance and repairs, technicians are usually responsible for the administration of a site including inventory for any necessary parts.

Read more: How To Become a Wind Turbine Technician: Requirements, Salary and Outlook 

21. Water resources engineer

National Average Salary: $58,405 per year
Primary duties: Water resources engineers develop procedures to protect freshwater and ensure that it is available to anyone who needs it. They aid in everything from the development of water purification systems to the infrastructure needed to make it accessible to all. Some water resources engineers also focus on the preservation of freshwater sources.

Read more: How To Become a Water Resource Engineer (With Skills)

22. Environmental compliance specialist

National Average Salary: $55,044 per year
Primary duties: Environmental compliance specialists audit companies and ensure they are adhering to environmental regulations including those regarding pollution, waste management and emissions. If they find any environmental violations they relay them to the company and issue violations if necessary.

Related: 16 Environmental Certifications To Help You Advance Your Career 

23. Environmental inspector

National Average Salary: $49,729 per year
Primary duties: Environmental inspectors are responsible for identifying pollution violations on a municipal and commercial level with the intent of protecting public and environmental health. They conduct inspections by gathering samples of soil, air and water to determine if the organization they are inspecting has committed any violations and use the findings to generate a report with actionable steps to educate the business on how to follow regulations correctly.

Read more: How To Become an Environmental Inspector: Duties, Steps and Average Salary 

24. Wastewater Operator

National Average Salary: $44,374 per year
Primary Duties: Wastewater operators maintain all of the components of a wastewater treatment facility to ensure that the water they distribute is safe to drink. They are in charge of collecting water samples, preparing chemical treatments and fixing any broken components of the system. Wastewater operators typically have some knowledge of engineering and the ability to problem-solve when it comes to making mechanical repairs.

Read more: How To Become a Wastewater Treatment Operator

25. Soil Technician

National Average Salary: $42,515 per year
Primary Duties: Soil technicians are professionals that collect and analyze soil to determine the viability for growing a variety of plants or constructing buildings. They may either work in the field collecting samples, in a lab analyzing samples or both. Soil technicians keep detailed logs of their observations and provide reports of their findings.

Related: 16 Types of Jobs in Natural Resources (Plus Salaries) 

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¹ Methodology: # Calculated the share of postings (per 1M) for the specified green normTitles from Mar'19 thru Mar'22.  Calculated the % change in this job share from Mar'19 vs Mar'22, found the titles with the largest growth in this percentage.

² Methodology: # Calculated the median and mean yearly salaries from postings for the green normtitles from Apr'21 thru Mar'22