Clean energy job growth in 2023 doubled the U.S. average, adding 142,000 jobs.
Unionization in clean energy surpassed the broader energy sector.
Solar, wind, and zero-emission vehicle sectors saw major growth due to federal policies and investments.
Clean energy jobs in the U.S. grew at more than double the rate of the overall job market in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER). Clean energy employment increased by 4.2%, compared to the national average of 2%, adding 142,000 jobs in sectors like wind, solar, nuclear, and battery storage. This growth accounted for over half of all new energy jobs last year.
For the first time, the unionization rate in clean energy, at 12.4%, surpassed the overall energy sector rate of 11%. This shift was driven by significant growth in the construction and utility industries, supported by legislative measures such as the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted that clean energy means good, union jobs retained in communities across the country.
Employment in the utility-scale and rooftop solar industries grew by 5.3%, adding over 18,000 jobs. Despite challenges like high interest rates and changes to net metering in states like California, solar continues to expand, alongside wind energy, which also reported strong job growth. The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to double the share of electricity generation from clean sources by 2030, further driving job creation.
The clean energy sector also saw an increase in jobs related to manufacturing and supply chains, with 28,000 jobs added in 2023 in areas such as battery and solar module factories, offshore wind ports, and clean energy product warehouses. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised these developments, noting the record-high union density in clean energy and its role in advancing a cleaner economy.
Overall energy jobs rose by 250,000 in 2023, with clean energy making up 56% of this growth. The report showed mixed performance in the fossil fuel sector, with natural gas jobs growing by 13.3%, but petroleum jobs falling by 6%. Coal employment continued to decline as the energy industry shifts towards cleaner alternatives.
As the U.S. continues to invest in clean energy infrastructure, the outlook for energy jobs remains robust, with long-term growth expected across multiple sectors. Granholm emphasized the enduring impact of recent federal investments in America’s clean energy future, noting that the policies are working.
