10 high-paying jobs that help the environment

A surge in environmental sustainability efforts have led to increased jobs within the green industry — and along with giving people an opportunity to do a lot of good through their work, some of these positions come with a very attractive paycheck. 

The majority of Americans support initiatives to fight climate change, such as transitioning to alternative energy sources like wind and solar power, and pushing the country to become carbon neutral in the coming decades, according to the Pew Research Center. Understandably, careers that help advance these major changes are growing in popularity: The World Economic Forum reports that green jobs will make up 14% of the total jobs in the U.S. by 2030. 

“Many organizations are recognizing that adopting environmentally sustainable policies is in their best interest, and they need to hire talent with the right skill set to advance key goals,” says Corissa Peterson, a career expert at Resume Genius. “As a result, a broader spectrum of industries and professions are beginning to require green skills to support the integration of sustainable practices.”

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Thanks to an abundance of engineering, tech and marketing roles within the green industry, people with a passion for sustainability can also earn a great living in a growing industry. Employees just have to decide if this move is aligned with their professional and personal goals.  

“Green sectors are still new and developing, so no matter what career path you choose, there will be opportunities for growth as you gain skills and experience,” Peterson says. “At a time when climate anxiety is at an all-time high, the best way to combat anxiety and spread hope and positivity is to take action. Making your career a vehicle for positive impact will help promote well-being and drive the societal shift toward sustainability.”

Interested in going green? Resume Genius has put together a list of the 10 highest-paying green jobs using data information from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET’s Green Occupations database.