Life As an Energy Engineer
Energy Engineer Definition 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.
What Do Energy Engineers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
- Review architectural, mechanical, or electrical plans or specifications to evaluate energy efficiency.
- Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
- Consult with construction or renovation clients or other engineers on topics such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Buildings.
- Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
- Write or install energy management routines for building automation systems.
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Qualities of an Energy Engineer
When polled, Energy Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Energy Engineer Job Titles
- Energy Project Manager
- Distributed Generation Project Manager
- Energy Infrastructure Engineer
- Hydrogen Power Plant Engineer
- HVAC Engineer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engineer)
Is There 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. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Energy Engineer Salary
The salary for Energy Engineers ranges between about $50,750 and $155,650 a year.
Energy Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Energy Engineers make in each U.S. state?
| 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
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Energy Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor
- Cool Roof Calculator
- DesignBuilder Software DesignBuilder
- EffTec EffTrack
- Architectural Energy Corporation ENFORMA Building Diagnostics
- EnergyPlus
- Facility Energy Decision Systems FEDS
- Federal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant FRESA
- Fielding Data Labs OptoMizer
- InterEnergy Software Building Energy Analyzer PRO
- Itron Enterprise Energy Management EEM Suite
How do I Become an Energy Engineer?
What education or degrees do I need to become an Energy Engineer?
What work experience do I need to become an Energy Engineer?
Where Energy Engineers Work
Energy Engineers work in the following industries:
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
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