What Does it Take to Be an Energy Engineer?
Career Description Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
Energy Engineer Responsibilities
- Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
- Manage the development, design, or construction of energy conservation projects to ensure acceptability of budgets and time lines, conformance to federal and state laws, or adherence to approved specifications.
- Recommend best fuel for specific sites or circumstances.
- Promote awareness or use of alternative or renewable energy sources.
- Inspect or monitor energy systems, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or daylighting systems to determine energy use or potential energy savings.
- Direct the implementation of energy management projects.
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Energy Engineer Required Skills
These are the skills Energy Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- HVAC Engineer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engineer)
- Photovoltaic Power Systems Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Green Building Engineer
- Green Building Energy Engineer
Job Demand for Energy Engineers
In the United States, there were 132,500 jobs for Energy Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Energy Engineer by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Energy Engineer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Energy Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Energy Engineer
The average yearly salary of an Energy Engineer ranges between $50,750 and $155,650.

Energy Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Energy Engineers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $115,710 |
Alaska | $114,040 |
Arizona | $94,450 |
Arkansas | $71,510 |
California | $107,700 |
Colorado | $111,610 |
Connecticut | $100,230 |
District of Columbia | $132,530 |
Florida | $82,970 |
Georgia | $93,580 |
Hawaii | $96,940 |
Idaho | $110,270 |
Illinois | $87,220 |
Indiana | $73,340 |
Iowa | $78,230 |
Kansas | $82,060 |
Kentucky | $79,690 |
Louisiana | $90,580 |
Maine | $85,800 |
Maryland | $118,420 |
Massachusetts | $109,220 |
Michigan | $90,420 |
Minnesota | $101,620 |
Mississippi | $79,630 |
Missouri | $86,850 |
Montana | $79,590 |
Nebraska | $82,760 |
Nevada | $94,950 |
New Hampshire | $99,070 |
New Jersey | $114,990 |
New Mexico | $114,790 |
New York | $95,270 |
North Carolina | $83,900 |
North Dakota | $83,270 |
Ohio | $93,370 |
Oklahoma | $83,080 |
Oregon | $90,720 |
Pennsylvania | $96,550 |
Rhode Island | $95,790 |
South Carolina | $100,750 |
South Dakota | $84,320 |
Tennessee | $82,030 |
Texas | $113,370 |
Utah | $89,810 |
Vermont | $81,960 |
Virginia | $118,390 |
Washington | $104,890 |
West Virginia | $91,420 |
Wisconsin | $86,600 |
Wyoming | $97,040 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Energy Engineers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Energy Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Home Energy Efficient Design HEED
- Architectural Energy Corporation ENFORMA Building Diagnostics
- Cool Roof Calculator
- DesignBuilder Software DesignBuilder
- EffTec EffTrack
- Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor
- EnergyPlus
- Facility Energy Decision Systems FEDS
- Federal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant FRESA
- Fielding Data Labs OptoMizer
- InterEnergy Software Building Energy Analyzer PRO
How to Become an Energy Engineer
Learn what Energy Engineer education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Energy Engineer?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Energy Engineer may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as an Energy Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Rémi Kaupp via Multi-license with GFDL and Creative Commons CC-BY-SA
More about our data sources and methodologies.