What Does it Take to Be 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.
List of Energy Engineer Job Duties
- Review or negotiate energy purchase agreements.
- Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
- Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
- Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
- Verify energy bills and meter readings.
- Inspect or monitor energy systems, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or daylighting systems to determine energy use or potential energy savings.
Featured schools near , edit
Energy Engineer Required Skills
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Energy Manager
- Distributed Generation Project Manager
- Energy Project Engineer
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Test and Balance Engineer
Energy Engineer Job Outlook
There were about 132,500 jobs for Energy Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,500 job openings in this field each 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 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 |
What Tools do Energy Engineers Use?
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?
Learn what Energy Engineer education requirements there are.

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

Energy Engineers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Energy Engineer may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Energy Engineer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Rémi Kaupp via Multi-license with GFDL and Creative Commons CC-BY-SA
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |