8 Jobs That Are Helping To Fight Climate Change

In an open letter to President Joe Biden, notable executives — including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Ford Motor Company executive chairman Bill Ford — and other leaders from around the world asked the president to take swift action to combat climate change.

The letter argues that not only will it be good for the environment, but good for the job market: “While the climate crisis presents incredible challenges, it is also the greatest economic opportunity for innovation, job creation, new businesses, and investment in our communities,” the letter states.

Here’s a look at a few of the jobs that can help fight climate change.

• Median salary: $88,860
• Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering and other fields of science to develop solutions to environmental problems. They may work with urban and regional planners or at construction sites.

• Median salary: $88,430
• Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Electric vehicle engineers can come from a variety of fields, including chemical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and material engineering. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “engineering is one of the most sought-after occupations in the automobile manufacturing industry.”

• Median salary: $123,880
• Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Sustainability managers develop and implement an organization’s sustainability plans, and may also be responsible for ensuring that an organization is in compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations. They may work for a particular organization or work as a consultant on a project basis.

• Median salary: $122,960
• Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
  

According to Georgetown Law, “an environmental lawyer works to represent clients in legal issues such as in clean technology, water law, climate change law and the management of land subject to native title and other public land.” They may work at private law firms, as in-house counsel for corporations, for public interest and advocacy groups, or for the government.

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• Median salary: $44,890
• Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent

Solar panel installation is a quickly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 51% from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

Socially Responsible Investing in 2021: 

• Median salary: $52,910
• Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award

The demand for wind turbine technicians is also growing at a rapid pace. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, “because wind electricity generation is expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, additional technicians will be needed to install and maintain new turbines. Job prospects are expected to be excellent.”

• Median salary: $95,380
• Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

Climatologists use statistics to study historical weather patterns and interpret these patterns and shifts in climate.

• Median salary: $41,400
• Typical entry-level education: High school education or equivalent

Recyclable materials collectors collect and dump recyclable materials from containers into trucks, and may also drive these trucks.

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All salary, education and job description information are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise indicated. Median salary information is accurate as of 2019, the latest date for which it is available.