23 June, 2025
The energy field and sustainable energy job market are poised for long-term global growth. As clean, sustainable, and renewable energy technologies like solar energy, wind turbines, and battery storage become more cost-effective, organizations need leaders who can translate sustainability goals into actionable strategies. These professionals must understand the energy sector, including:
- Economics
- Policy and regulation
- Business processes
- Finance
In this article, we explore select career paths in sustainable energy that align with the skills taught in our MA in Sustainable Energy (online) program. This is just a sample of the many opportunities to work in roles where sustainable energy is a key focus.
You can also visit our sustainable energy master’s curriculum page to see a full course list with descriptions.
An Exceptional Time for a Career in Sustainable Energy
Global momentum for clean energy continues to accelerate. In 2024, global energy demand grew by 2.2%1, driven by rising electricity consumption and temperatures. Renewables led the growth with 38% of new energy supply, and solar energy and wind turbine capacity broke records by supplying 32% of global electricity.
The energy job market benefits from this momentum, especially in areas with a shortage of qualified talent like finance, operations, and management. The energy sector accounts for 8.4 million U.S. jobs2, including roles in:
- Solar
- Wind
- Geothermal
- Biofuel
- Nuclear
What Is the Outlook for Sustainable Energy Careers?
The global shift to low-carbon energy systems is driving demand across industries:
- 3.5 million clean energy jobs in the U.S. in 20243
- 150,000 new jobs created in the past year
- 16.2 million people employed in clean energy worldwide in 20234
Emerging areas like climate adaptation and resilience serve as excellent complements to existing renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs. Employers face skill shortages in energy efficiency, power distribution, and fuels, making it a great time to gain key skills and pursue in-demand roles.
Opportunities are available around the world. While more economically developed countries lead clean energy production, we’re beginning to see emerging markets and expanding investments in eastern Europe, South America, and Asia.
“The sustainable energy industry grapples with complex challenges in economics, technology, and governance. Solving problems in this industry requires a solid technical foundation, but understanding economics, finance, policy processes, and politics is equally important. The MA in Sustainable Energy program at Johns Hopkins University adds unique value by preparing students to deal with all this complexity.”
Where Can a Master’s in Sustainable Energy Take You?
Job descriptions in sustainable energy span technical and non-technical roles, including consulting, economics, finance, policy, and research.
Sectors and Organizations Include:
- Government and international organizations
- NGOs and nonprofits
- Utilities and energy trade organizations
- Market research and consulting firms
- Clean tech and renewable energy startups
While the MA in Sustainable Energy program at Johns Hopkins University is not designed to prepare students for technical roles, applicants with technical backgrounds often have valuable context and understanding for guiding policy and consulting with organizations to determine the feasibility of sustainable energy initiatives. So, the Johns Hopkins SAIS sustainable energy master’s program can act as an excellent career enhancement for those interested in using their existing technical expertise to guide sustainable energy policy, research, and investment.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s in Sustainable Energy?
There are a wide variety of sustainable energy jobs available, with roles typically focused on analysis, management, and research. We’ve provided a broad sample of careers available in the field, and the key skills and responsibilities required are equally varied. While this market is defined by change, many of the foundational skills that are critical to solving today’s sustainable energy challenges will remain essential as the sustainable energy job market continues to grow.
| Sustainable Energy Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Energy Project Manager | $116,120 |
| Sustainability Program Manager | $142,056 |
| Sustainability Specialist | $89,000 |
| Policy Analyst | $89,396 |
| Energy Analyst | $86,068 |
Salary data compiled from Salary.com and Glassdoor.
Energy Project Manager
Average Salary: $116,120
Energy project managers lead the development of energy infrastructure projects such as solar farms, wind parks, and grid modernization efforts. Strong technical knowledge and leadership skills are essential to drive successful clean energy products, so these professionals will benefit from experience and advanced education.
Some responsibilities of energy project managers include:
- Coordinating teams
- Managing budgets
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Mitigating any risks of delays
Sustainability Program Manager
Average Salary: $142,056
Sustainability program managers oversee and coordinate multiple related projects that support an organization’s long-term environmental goals. Their responsibilities include:
- Defining the overall program strategy
- Managing interdependencies between projects
- Aligning outcomes with business objectives
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Engaging stakeholders
They work across departments to implement sustainability initiatives, such as carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and waste management, that drive organizational change and measurable impact.
Sustainability Specialist
Average Salary: $89,000
Sustainability specialists help organizations develop plans and policies to reduce the negative environmental impacts of organizational operations. They may develop strategic plans to reduce overall energy usage and waste, transition energy usage to renewable sources, and ensure that organizational policies align with regulations.
Policy Analyst
Average Salary: $89,396
Policy analysts research and evaluate energy and environmental policies to guide decision-making in government organizations, nonprofits, or private companies. By analyzing legislation, assessing program effectiveness, and developing recommendations, sustainability-focused policy analysts can promote sustainable and efficient practices. Strong analytical skills and sector knowledge are crucial to policy analysts, as their ultimate goal is shaping sustainable energy strategies.
Energy Analyst
Average Salary: $86,068
Energy analysts examine a variety of market data, such as energy consumption patterns and pricing models, to support informed decision-making in the clean energy sector. Their research can help identify opportunities for organizations to:
- Save costs
- Increase efficiency
- Integrate renewable energy sources
- Optimize energy use
- Plan infrastructure investments
- Comply with regulations
“Government, business, and civil society leaders around the world have recognized the urgent need for ambitious climate action. A sustainable energy system is key to avoiding climate disruption, and demand for low-carbon energy sources will continue to grow rapidly both in the United States and globally. The sustainable energy industry will be a major source of well-paying, impactful jobs as the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
About the MA in Sustainable Energy (online) Program at Johns Hopkins SAIS
Provided by a top global university, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy (online) at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) was created to help professionals gain the expertise needed to answer questions about how we can become more effective in our transition to sustainable energy. Students have the opportunity to improve their base of knowledge and their critical thinking skills, helping them rise to leadership positions in their respective fields. This program equips graduates with the interdisciplinary expertise needed to lead energy transitions that are technically sound, economically viable, and socially equitable.
Developed with input from expert faculty, industry leaders and sustainable energy employers, the program and its courses are taught by highly experienced researchers and professionals. Students in the Johns Hopkins SAIS benefit not only from the expertise and industry connections of our faculty but also from our network of 230,000+ alumni.
Disclaimer: This content has not been peer reviewed and is for informational purposes only.
Sources
All sources retrieved June 2025
1. International Energy Agency — Global Energy Review 2025
2. U.S. Department of Energy — 2024 U.S. Energy & Employment Jobs Report (USEER)
3. International Labour Organization — Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2024
4. International Energy Agency — Global energy sector employment increased by 3.8% in 2023, outpacing the wider economy