Professional Guide to the Highest-Paying Jobs in Energy

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy demand is forecasted to grow by 15% within the next 10 years. In the meantime, we are engaged in an energy transition – a major energy shift from nonrenewable sources (gas, oil, etc.) to renewable, smart, and CO2-free energies (wind, solar, etc.).

Our energy transition will have a greater impact than the oil revolution in the nineteenth century. It is a transition for a better and healthier future with a higher consideration for our environment. This will only be possible thanks to a talented and skilled workforce.

The energy sector has always been known for its high-paying jobs, especially in the oil and gas industry. However, with the advent of renewables, new jobs are popping up – highly specialized and offering high remuneration.

Are you looking for a well-paid position in the energy industry?

Do you want to be part of the energy transition toward a CO2-free world?

In this article, our energy expert has summarized 19 energy jobs that offer the best financial conditions.

High-Paying Jobs in the Oil and Gas Industry

High-Paying Jobs in the Oil and Gas Industry

For decades, the oil and gas industry had been dominating the energy sector. With an ever-increasing demand for oil and gas, there has been no shortage of jobs. Therefore, this is not a surprise to find the highest paid jobs in all energy sectors here.

However, the industry is now reaching a high plateau, and the future growth will be limited. The coal industry, which is one of the oldest, will even further decline in the coming years.

Let’s have a look at the highest-paid jobs in the oil and gas industry.

1. Petroleum Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $137,330/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Job Description

The goal of a petroleum engineer, also called drilling or reservoir engineer, is to maximize oil and gas extraction and production at a drilling site.

To complete this task, the engineer develops new methods and tools for extraction. He/she works closely with geologists to evaluate the potential of a drilling site. Finally, he/she is also responsible for ensuring the economic viability of a drilling project as well as workforce management.

Therefore, this job requires knowledge in engineering and technology, mathematics, geology, management, and accounting.

A petroleum engineer should develop skills such as critical thinking, complex problem-solving, judgment and decision-making, systems analysis, and active learning.

Pros 

  • One of the highest-paid jobs across all energy industries
  • Highly rewarding when the drilling site is optimized
  • Supervise both technical and economical aspects

Cons

  • Not a one-site job (regularly move to existing and new drilling sites)
  • Work under pressure (costly investments to make it profitable)
  • Heavy workload (on call at any time)

Career Path: This position requires at least a bachelor’s degree specialized in petroleum engineering. After a few years, based on the engineer’s performance, the position can evolve into supervising larger drilling operations, like offshore extraction sites.

It is projected that 2,100 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

2. Chemical Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $108,540/year

Education Level: Master’s Degree/PhD

Job Description

A chemical engineer, also called process engineer, is able to combine his knowledge in chemistry, physics, and engineering to develop chemical refineries equipment and processes to produce fuels and other oil- and gas-related products.

He conducts research to optimize existing processes and develop more efficient techniques. He creates safety procedures for people operating equipment and working nearby chemical reactions.

The chemical engineer is working closely with laboratory technicians, refinery plant managers, and scientific researchers for new guidelines. Furthermore, he has to assess the economic viability of all processes developed.

The chemical engineer should develop skills such as complex problem thinking, scientific methods, critical thinking, system analysis and evaluation, and active learning to identify the latest technical progresses.

Pros

  • High technical responsibilities 
  • Develop new products and methods
  • Involve skills in physics, chemistry, and engineering

 Cons

  • High level of education (master’s degree/PhD)
  • Not a one-site job (needs to move to chemical plants everywhere in the world)

Career Path 

Being a chemical engineer requires a high level of education (Master’s degree, PhD) due to the importance of science in this job. After a few years of experience, the engineer is able to switch to other industries, like solar panel manufacturing, for example.

It is projected that 2,000 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

3. Mining and Geological Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $93,800/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Job Description

This is one of the most important jobs in the oil and gas industry at the origin of every project. His/her primary function is to identify potential mining sites. The engineer will perform soil and ground analysis to assess the quantity and quality of future extraction sites.

Together with the petroleum engineer, he/she will specify the equipment and processes for a safe and environmentally friendly extraction.

In existing mining sites, he/she will inspect the geological conditions and equipment to maximize safety levels.

As an expert, he/she will train and evaluate the technicians, engineers, and all mining personnel.

Finally, he/she is also in charge of rehabilitating old mining sites back to natural states.

The mining engineers develop skills like complex problem-solving, critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making and monitoring.

Pros

  • An exploration work
  • Start every new extraction project
  • A mining expert receives the biggest bonuses 

Cons

  • Extensive safety responsibilities

Career Path

At least a bachelor’s degree with a major in geology is recommended. After a few years of experience, the geological engineer can move to a larger mining operation. Experienced engineers can work as freelancers and are well-renowned. Companies are ready to give high bonuses.

It is projected that 400 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year. 

4. Environmental Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $92,120/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

Job Description

The extraction of oil and gas has a significant impact on our environment. The environmental engineer will design and operate processes to limit this impact. His/her work implies waste treatment, site remediation, and pollution control technology.

Aside from an extensive knowledge in the remediation of environmental hazards, this job implies a good comprehension of environmental rules and regulations.

The environmental engineer should have strong communications skills as he will interact with the engineers and technicians, the plant manager, the general public, and the local authorities to present the environmental impact and mitigation rules at a specific site.

Therefore, the main skills required for this job are active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and judgment and decision-making.

Pros

  • Embrace all aspects of environmental science (air, water, and soil)
  • Interact with many people (from technicians to the general public)

 Cons

  • Work under heavy pressure in case of environmental disaster (oil spill)

Career Path

This job requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major in environmental science. The career can evolve from being responsible for a local extraction site to managing the environmental policy of a large company. The job could involve a lot of traveling to reach the most remote sites.

It is projected that 3,700 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

High-Paying Jobs in the Nuclear Energy Industry

High-Paying Jobs in the Nuclear Energy Industry

The nuclear accident of Fukushima in 2011 marked a stop in the growth of the nuclear energy industry. It has now been 10 years, and the sector is still recovering, with energy production below 2011 levels.

However, producing electricity from nuclear fission offers several advantages – there is no CO2 emission, and it is an abundant and reliable electricity source. Therefore, the nuclear energy industry is contributing to the transition toward a CO2-free world, and it is expected to grow at a higher rate than the oil sector within the next 10 years.

The industry requires highly qualified labor and chooses only the best applicants with high wages as a reward.

Let’s have a look at the highest-paid jobs in the nuclear energy industry.

1. Nuclear Physicist

2020 Median Pay: $128,950/year

Education Level: PhD, Master’s degree

Job Description

Nuclear reactors are complex systems involving new concepts at the forefront of our scientific knowledge.The nuclear physicist is a scientist who works on designing and improving the efficiency and safety of nuclear reactors and processes.

He/she is a researcher who explores several technical paths for the reactors of the future.

Science and mathematics would be the primary skills for this job, together with systems analysis and critical thinking. Most of his/her time is dedicated to analyzing data and information, updating and using relevant knowledge, and writing reports and scientific articles. Computers are the main working tools.

His/her interactions with other people are limited.

Pros

  • Job for an independent person
  • Low work pressure
  • Possibility to travel around the world for conferences

 Cons

  • Limited career evolution
  • Lower salary in public research institutions

Career Path: This job requires the highest level of education – a PhD completed with a postdoctoral project. Companies will only hire the best individuals based on their scientific publications. After a few years, the nuclear physicist could evolve as a technical adviser at a higher level in the company.

It is projected that 1,300 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 5–7% per year (higher than average).

2. Nuclear Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $116,140/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

A nuclear engineer has three main functions: (1) he/she is in charge of designing and developing nuclear equipment, like reactors, (2) he/she monitors nuclear facilities to ensure the highest level of safety, and (3) he/she conducts environmental studies on nuclear topics (waste, fuel, power plant operation).

He/she can work in any facility where nuclear material has to be handled, from uranium extraction and purification to nuclear waste management.

Furthermore, part of his/her job is to do engineering research to improve nuclear systems and facilities.

A nuclear engineer should have strong skills in science (nuclear physics), mathematics, active listening, complex problem-solving, monitoring, and critical thinking.

Pros

  • Highest salary in a nuclear power plant
  • A one-site job
  • Contribute to a safest nuclear energy

 Cons

  • Could be on-call at anytime
  • Need very strong science skills

Career Path: A bachelor’s degree is required, and some nuclear engineers also have a master’s degree with a major in nuclear physics. After a few years, the nuclear engineer can specialize himself/herself, for example, as a nuclear power plant design expert or as a nuclear safety engineer.

It is projected that 700 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a declining growth rate of -1% per year (lower than average).

3. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

2020 Median Pay: $104,040/year

Education Level: High school diploma/Bachelor’s degree

Job Description

The main task of a nuclear power reactor operator is to control and operate the nuclear reactor in a power plant. He/she is in charge of the nuclear equipment, for example, he/she can adjust the power output of a nuclear reactor by controlling nuclear rods. Through inspection and data collection, he/she monitors all parameters of the working reactor and reports abnormalities.

In the end, the nuclear power reactor operator ensures that the nuclear reactor is properly working.

The most important skills for the job are operation monitoring, controlling, reading comprehension, and active listening.

Pros

  • Job doesn’t require a high level of education
  • Mostly work in a safe control room

 Cons

  • Night shifts to ensure continuous operation
  • High level of responsibilities

Career Path: Most of the nuclear reactor operators have a high school diploma with a strong experience in the nuclear world. The position doesn’t offer a lot of career evolution. The operator could be transferred to other nuclear reactors or could switch to operate other types of nuclear facilities (waste treatment, nuclear enrichment plants, etc.) 

It is projected that 200 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a declining growth rate of -1% per year (lower than average).

High-Paying Jobs in the Renewable Energy Industry

High-Paying Jobs in the Renewable Energy Industry

The renewable energy industry was booming, while the world was facing a global crisis with an economic recession in 2020. It was the year of all the records for the solar industry with the highest production capacity installed (22% growth compared to 2019), and solar energy became the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world.

This trend is not over, and the sector is hiring. Salaries are increasing at a high rate, especially for qualified profiles.

Let’s have a look at the highest-paid jobs in the renewable energy industry.

1. Architectural and Engineering Manager

2020 Median Pay: $149,530/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate all activities related to the development of an energy project. This can be the construction of a power plant, a waste treatment facility, or any project that integrates energy production in its design.

As the head of the project, the engineering manager is also in charge of the budget and is leading the workforce toward the completion of the project in compliance with high safety and quality standards.

The architectural and engineering manager is a leader. The most useful skills for this job are reading comprehension, active listening, complex problem-solving, speaking, and writing.

Pros

  • Highest-paid job across all energy sectors
  • For leaders with no fear of responsibilities 

Cons

  • High workload
  • Must be able to work under pressure (tight deadlines)

Career Path: This type of job requires at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in civil engineering. From being an assistant, the engineering manager will evolve into the head of larger construction projects. This job is crossing all energy sectors (hydro, nuclear, renewable, oil, and gas).

It is projected that 12,500 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

2. Wind Energy Development Manager

2020 Median Pay: $116,350/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

The wind energy development manager coordinates every wind farm business development project. Prior to the project, he/she will evaluate the site production potential (business opportunities), lead environmental studies, and process permits and proposals. He/she will also work closely with the local government units and conduct public information meetings until the project is validated. He/she could also partially supervise the construction of the wind field.

The wind energy development manager is a leader who needs skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, writing, active listening, coordination, and management of financial resources.

Pros

  • A lot of field work
  • Freedom to make decision
  • Relatively low work pressure

Cons

  • Need to be a good negotiator (meeting with the general public)

Career Path: The wind energy development manager needs to have at least a bachelor’s degree – a master’s degree will be an advantage. The development manager can easily switch to another type of energy project, like solar, for example.

It is projected that 74,500 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a declining growth rate of -1% per year (lower than average).

3. Wind Energy Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $103,380/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

The wind energy engineer works closely with the wind energy development manager. He/she has two main activities – designing wind turbine production core and all structural equipment and preparing the site for wind turbine installation.

He/she will arrange an optimized plan for the wind farm layout (including access roads, crane pads, substations, transmission lines, and more). On the other hand, he/she will develop, test, and validate new equipment and algorithms to improve wind electricity production.

For this job, he/she needs to develop skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, judgment and decision-making, and mathematics.

Pros

  • A job with two different main tasks
  • Low time pressure
  • Moderate responsibilities

Cons

  • Technically challenging

Career Path

For this job, a bachelor or master’s degree is recommended. Being a wind energy engineer requires technical knowledge in electronics and hydrodynamics. Therefore, there is a career path to the aeronautic industry.

It is projected that 10,300 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 1–2% per year (slower than average).

4. Wind Energy Operations Manager

2020 Median Pay: $116,350/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

As it is named, the main task of the wind energy operations manager is to regulate all aspects of a wind field operation. This includes management of wind power production (site performance, events), personnel (hire employees, subcontractors), and budget and maintenance activities (structure inspection, power generation integrity).

The manager can be assigned to a large area (county or state) or specifically to a wind field.

The skills required are common managing skills combined with engineering abilities. For this job, the manager should develop critical thinking, monitoring, speaking, active listening, and reading comprehension skills.

Pros

  • A lot of freedom to make decisions
  • Work in office and on-site visits (outdoor)

Cons

  • Heavy workload with on-call work

Career Path: This job requires at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in energy management. A wind farm manager can easily switch to any renewable energy operation management job (solar, hydro, biomass, etc.).

It is projected that 74,500 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a declining growth rate of -1% per year (lower than average).

5. Solar Energy Installation Manager

2020 Median Pay: $67,840/year

Education Level: Post-secondary certificate/College degree

Job Description

A solar energy installation manager plans and coordinates solar installation projects both for residential and commercial applications. He/she can work on photovoltaic electricity production and thermal solar systems installation.

He/she is in charge of supervising the technicians and subcontractors during the installation phase. Likewise, he/she estimates the material needs and plans the budget accordingly. He/she is also responsible for the overall system efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance.

The most important skills for this type of job are coordination, management of personnel resources, monitoring, time management, and active listening.

Pros

  • Fast growing demand for this type of job
  • Involves a lot of face-to-face discussions
  • Needs to be a leader
  • Accessible with no degrees

Cons

  • Time pressure (deadlines)

Career Path: A college degree or even no degree could be enough for this job. This is a trending job with high demand. After a few years of experience, from small-scale domestic projects, the solar energy installation manager could be effected to large industrial production sites.

It is projected that 65,500 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 5–7% per year (higher than average).

6. Solar Energy Systems Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $103,380/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree 

Job Description

The solar energy systems engineer is involved in the preconstruction phase of any solar project. He/she will perform site-specific analysis of solar production potential, create plans for the development of the project, and monitor and evaluate activities during the construction phase. He/she can work for all types of solar projects from domestic to industrial production sites.

He/she is in charge of designing the future solar power plant (thermal or PV), choosing the adequate building materials and solar modules according to the site specification. Finally, in the construction phase, he/she is the technical adviser of the installation manager.

The solar energy systems engineer develops skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, judgment and decision-making, and writing.

Pros

  • Freedom of decision
  • Involve face-to-face meetings
  • Moderate working hours (40 hours per week)

Cons

  • Time pressure (deadlines)

Career Path: A bachelor’s degree is needed for this job. Depending on the individual’s experience, the solar systems engineer could be involved in large solar farm projects around the world.

It is projected that 10,300 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 1–2% per year (slower than average).

7. Solar Sales Representative and Assessor

2020 Median Pay: $86,650/year

Education Level: College or no degree/Bachelor Degree

Job Description

The solar sales representative and assessor has a commercial role in a solar project. He/she will contact new and existing customers with the goal of selling a solar system according to their needs.

To complete his/her mission, he/she will gather energy data from the customer and site specifications and compute the information to offer the best system or equipment.

He/she should be able to answer all technical, financial, and legal questions asked by the customer. He/she is aware of all funding options including tax rebates and incentives. Furthermore, he/she needs to develop a marketing strategy to reach new territories.

As a commercial job, the solar sales representative needs to have skills in speaking, active listening, service orientation, critical thinking, persuasion, and negotiation.

Pros

  • Involves a lot of contact with others (phone, mail, face to face)
  • Offers a lot of freedom

Cons

  • Pressure on financial objectives
  • More than 40 hours of work per week

Career Path:

For this job, no degree or a college degree is needed. The individual’s experience is valued, and the technical aspect of the job is secondary. A solar sales representative can switch to selling other services or products; in the solar energy world, he/she could also be effected to much larger projects in which dealing with high-profile people is needed.

It is projected that 30,700 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

8. Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager

2020 Median Pay: $149,530/year

Education Level: Master’s degree/Bachelor’s degree

Job Description

The biofuel technology and product development manager is a technical researcher (R&D) whose job involves the development and assessment of technologies related to the production of biodiesel and biofuels with short-term commercial potential.

The technology and product development manager works on designing and conducting experiments to develop the most efficient biorefinery process. He/she also leads research to find new and improved feedstock for biofuel production.

Finally, he/she prepares lab-scale experiments, selects the most promising processes, and evaluates its commercial potential.

In the end, he/she should have strong technical skills in chemistry, biology, and agriculture as well as complex problem-solving, critical thinking, judgment and decision-making, reading comprehension, and speaking abilities.

Pros

  • Freedom to make decisions
  • Low competition level
  • Low time pressure

Cons

  • High workload (more than 40 hours per week)
  • Might be exposed to hazardous products

Career Path

It is recommended to have a master’s degree with a major in biochemistry. From being a researcher, the technology and product development manager could evolve into a biofuel plant designer and manager.

It is projected that 12,500 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 3–4% per year.

High-Paying Jobs in the Electricity Distribution and Smart Energy Technologies

High-Paying Jobs in the Electricity Distribution and Smart Energy Technologies

With the advent of electric vehicles (EV) and decentralized renewable energy production, the electricity grid needs to be converted into a more powerful, reliable, and smart network combining energy and information. More specialized jobs will be created in the coming years to support the industry’s fast growth.

Let’s have a look at the highest-paid jobs in smart energy technologies.

1. Power Distributor and Dispatcher

2020 Median Pay: $95,100/year

Education Level: Post-secondary certificate/High school

Job Description

The main task of a power distributor and dispatcher is to regulate the distribution of electricity across the global electricity network. He/she usually works at a power control station or in a power plant.

His/her work is essential to ensure continuous power supply to customers. To complete this task, he/she is able to respond to any emergency such as line or transformer defaults. He/she works mainly with a computer to analyze energy consumption patterns and adjust the power dispatched into the grid. He/she has to anticipate any climatic events that would generate peak demand.

He/she is also monitoring the equipment and makes reports for field engineers and technicians.

The most important skills for this job are active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and speaking.

Pros

  • Impactful decisions
  • 40-hour work week
  • Freedom to make decisions

 Cons

  • High pressure (consequences of error are extremely serious)

Career Path: A high school diploma is sufficient for this position. A power dispatcher could work in any type of power plant – hydro, nuclear, and renewable.

It is projected that 800 new job positions will be opened in the next 10 years at a declining growth rate of -1% per year (lower than average).

2. Electrical Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $100,830/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Master’s degree

Job Description

The electrical engineer is working on electrical equipment and systems. He/she participates in all the development stages, from research (R&D) to manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of energy-efficient power systems. Therefore, he/she has an extensive knowledge in all electric components. For the design, he/she prepares technical drawings on a computer, then he/she coordinates the manufacture of the electrical equipment. He/she carries out testing and maintenance activities on existing systems to ensure a high level of safety and reliability. He/she works closely with the client for the most appropriate design and prepares an estimated budget.

To perform to the best level, he/she has skills in active listening, complex problem-solving, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing.

Pros

  • Relatively low responsibilities for outcomes and results
  • Work in an environmentally controlled atmosphere

Cons

  • More than 40 hours of work per week
  • Needs to be extremely accurate

Career Path: For this position, a bachelor and master’s degree are the diploma of choices. The electrical engineer is not bound to the energy industry. He/she could work for any industry in which electric systems are involved (military, industrial, scientific).

There is a bright outlook for this position. It is projected that 12,500 new jobs will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 5–7% per year.

3. Power Electronics Engineer

2020 Median Pay: $107,540/year

Education Level: Bachelor’s degree/Post-secondary certificate

Job Description

Whereas an electric engineer is focused on electric power systems and equipment, the power electronics engineer is working on a smaller scale, at the level of the electronic component. His/her tasks are to research, design, produce, and test electronic components and circuits to be implemented in power systems.

He/she has a strong knowledge in physics and materials applied to electronics. He/she works in close contact with electrical engineers to evaluate the needs of the system. Next, he/she creates schematic drawings, estimates resources needed for the project, and coordinates the manufacture of electronic components. Finally, he/she performs tests and maintenance on existing systems.

The main skills involved in this position are complex problem-solving, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, and systems analysis.

Pros

  • Involve lots of face-to-face discussion
  • Relatively low time pressure
  • Limited responsibilities for outcomes and results

Cons

  • Low freedom of decision

Career Path: This position is highly technical. Therefore, it is recommended to have at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in electronics. Similar to the electrical engineer, the electronic engineer can work in all industries involving electronic components, offering broad career opportunities.

It is projected that 8,200 new jobs will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of 1–2% per year (slower than average).

4. Energy Data Scientist

2020 Median Pay: $98,230/year

Education Level: Master’s degree / PhD

Job Description: This is one of the most recently created jobs promised to a bright future. The data scientist develops tools and techniques to collect raw data and transform them into useful information thanks to data mining, modeling, and machine learning.

In the energy industry, the type of data is related to weather patterns, energy consumption habits, energy flow, and consumer behavior. The data scientist works on both structured and unstructured data sets. He/she receives the customer requirements and database and delivers graphs, charts, or other visualizations in a comprehensive way. He/she can also develop dynamic prediction models.

For this type of job, the most important skills are complex problem-solving, critical thinking, judgment and decision-making, active listening, and reading comprehension.

Pros

  • 40 hours of work per week
  • Work in a controlled and safe environment
  • Lots of face-to-face discussion

Cons

  • Work continuously in front of a computer
  • High responsibilities for outcomes and results

Career Path: This type of position is relatively new. You will need at least a master’s degree, but PhD is recommended. It offers many gateways to other sectors like health care and well-being, finance, new material development, and more.

This position has the fastest growth of all our featured jobs. It is projected that 3,600 new jobs will be opened in the next 10 years at a growth rate of more than 8% per year.

Conclusion

There is a global trend toward a more electrified and smart energy network, in which energy meets information. This transition toward a CO2-free world will be marked by the medium-term decline of the oil and gas industry and the rise of renewables.

This is illustrated by the job position that will be created in the next 10 years. The oil and gas industry still holds its position offering the highest-paid jobs. The new job creation will be close to the average growth rate of 3–4%.

Noteworthy, the trend is clearly to the rise of renewables, especially solar energy (5–7% growth) and smart energy management (up to 8% and more), which will offer hundreds of thousands of highly paid new jobs. In the meantime, the nuclear energy industry exhibits low or slightly declining employment rates (1% to -1%).

Finally, if you are looking for a highly paying job, there are plenty of options in the energy industry – some positions are even accessible with no diploma. However, be sure to clearly identify the constraints of the job you choose, as most of the time, a highly paid job requires a lot of personal investment.

One thought on “Professional Guide to the Highest-Paying Jobs in Energy

  1. Dear Madam/Sir,

    I have just completed my Ph.D. at Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, École Polytechnique, France, at the end of December 2021. I am writing to look for an opportunity in Aquion Energy. I believe my skills and strong background in material science, especially for energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, and electrochemistry, might make me a fit for the position in your company.

    I did four years’ bachelor’s in material physics at the university of science and technology of China, graduated with honors (5/41). During my bachelor, I joined the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale as an undergraduate research assistant for the design, scalable synthesis and application of carbon-based nanocomposites in lithium-ion batteries. Then, to broaden my horizons, I went to France and spent two years getting my Master’s diploma in advanced material engineering at École Polytechnique – University Paris Saclay.

    For my Ph.D., I found a topic I was very interested in: study the lithiation/delithiation mechanism of methylated amorphous silicon for lithium-ion batteries. Methylated amorphous silicon (nano thin film deposited by self-made PECVD) presents appealing properties for use as an active negative-electrode material. I used operando optical microscopy to observe and reach a detailed understanding of the homogeneity of the first lithiation of methylated amorphous silicon. Based on this study, a new material has been designed, boron-doped methylated amorphous silicon, which has long-term stability under electrochemical cycling. I also used Operando Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to study the two-phase process and SEI formation during the lithiation and delithiation. Ex-situ Raman spectroscopy is also used to characterize the non-lithiated, lithiated and delithiated silicon thin film, to get insight into the structural and electrochemical changes during the first cycle. Except these, I also have mature experience in PECVD, ellipsometry spectroscopy, electrochemical test, AFM, glove box, battery design, material design, etc.

    I have a strong passion for the low carbon economy and renewables research. In this era, energy plays an essential role in the sustainable development of society, economy, and environment. Fossil energy still dominates even though it is environmentally unfriendly and not renewable. It is our generation’s responsibility to explore green energy to continue the development of human society. I would be grateful if I could have the opportunity to join the innovative and creative company with a world-class team of leaders, experts, engineers for clean energy research and development.

    Sincerely,
    Yue FENG

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