Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $122,930 Median per year · $59.10/hr Most earn $66,810–$189,950

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • 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.
  • Consult with construction or renovation clients or other engineers on topics such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Buildings.
  • Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
  • Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
  • Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 8,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service21.8%
  • Engineering services11.0%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences6.5%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.2%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

This is not usually a straight-out-of-school job. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, work 1 to 2 years in an entry-level engineering or energy role, and then move into energy engineering. Pay varies by location and specialty, so check the career page for the typical pay near you and the full range.

  1. Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or architectural engineering (or a related building science field)

    4 years

    You learn the core science and math behind heating, cooling, electrical systems, and building design, which all energy work depends on.

  2. Junior Energy Analyst or Associate Engineer (building systems or HVAC)

    1-2 years

    You help audit buildings, track energy use, and assist senior engineers with efficiency projects, which builds the hands-on experience employers look for.

  3. Energy Engineer

    You design, evaluate, and recommend energy-saving projects for buildings during design, construction, or remodeling, often specializing in an area like HVAC, lighting, or green buildings.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Energy Engineer

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on larger projects, lead small teams, and handle client or budget decisions while still doing the technical work.

  2. Energy Manager

    5-8 years of experience first

    You oversee energy strategy across several buildings or sites, set goals, and manage budgets and staff rather than working on individual designs.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take physics, chemistry, and the highest math you canPhysics and algebra/trigonometry are the foundation for every engineering major that leads toward energy work.
  • Take a drafting, CAD, or shop class if your school offers oneDrawing plans and understanding how buildings and machines are put together is a daily part of energy engineering.
  • Join robotics, science fair, or a STEM clubBuilding and testing a project teaches you the design process and gives you something to show in college applications.
  • Get a part-time or summer job at a hardware store, HVAC company, or electrician's shopYou'll see how heating, cooling, and electrical systems work in real buildings and meet people in the trades.
  • Ask an engineer or facilities manager for a short informational interviewHearing how they got started helps you confirm this is the right direction and gives you a contact for later.

In college

  • Major in mechanical, electrical, or architectural engineeringThese majors cover the thermodynamics, heat transfer, and electrical knowledge that energy engineers use most.
  • Take courses in thermodynamics, HVAC, building science, or energy systemsSpecific courses in building energy use make you a stronger candidate for energy-focused jobs.
  • Apply for a summer internship with a utility, construction firm, or campus facilities officeReal project experience is the most useful thing you can add to your resume before graduating.
  • Join a student chapter of a professional engineering or building-systems societyChapters offer networking, speaker events, and design competitions that look good on a resume.
  • Work at your campus energy or sustainability office, or plan to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examCampus energy jobs give you practical experience, and passing the FE exam is an early step toward a professional engineering license.

Tips for getting started

  • Pick a specialty early, such as HVAC, lighting, or green buildings, and take courses or projects in it so you stand out.
  • Look for internships or co-ops with construction firms, utilities, or facilities departments, since hands-on experience is what makes the 1-2 years of prior work count.
  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and energy-modeling software early; employers often ask for these skills in entry-level job ads.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers