What Does it Take to Be an Energy Engineer?
Job 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.
Daily Life Of an Energy Engineer
- Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
- Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
- Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
- Write or install energy management routines for building automation systems.
- Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
- Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
Energy Engineer Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Energy Engineers say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Energy Engineer Jobs
- Energy Manager
- Test and Balance Engineer
- Heating Engineer
- Project Engineering Director
- Energy Infrastructure Engineer
Job Opportunities for Energy Engineers
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. 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.
Do Energy Engineers Make A Lot Of Money?
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.
How much do Energy Engineers make 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 |
What Tools do Energy Engineers Use?
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
- 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
Becoming an Energy Engineer
Education needed to be an Energy Engineer:
What work experience do I need to become an Energy Engineer?
Where do Energy Engineers Work?
Energy Engineers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Energy Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Energy Engineer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Rémi Kaupp via Multi-license with GFDL and Creative Commons CC-BY-SA
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