Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index Shows a 19 Percent Increase in Clean Jobs in 2013

ecotechNational study shows more than 3.5 million clean jobs available in 2013, with a 57 percent increase in solar jobs

March 5, 2014—Denver, Colo.—Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index, a tool to compare states’ use and development of clean and sustainable energy, found more than 3.5 million job postings in the clean energy sector last year. This is a 19 percent increase from 2012. The Clean Jobs Index classifies clean energy jobs based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics description, which says that a clean job is part of a business that benefits the environment or conserves natural resources.

Ecotech Institute, the only college entirely focused on renewable energy and sustainability training, created the Clean Jobs Index to provide objective job information about the renewable energy industry. The Index also looks at various sustainability factors such as alternative fueling stations, LEED projects and total energy consumption across the U.S.

Highlights from the Clean Jobs Index 2013

Number of U.S. Clean Jobs Postings in 2013:
3,599,022 (a 19 percent increase from 2012)

Large Growth in Clean Jobs (compared to 2012 clean jobs postings)
Solar Jobs – up 57 percent
Wind Jobs – up 20 percent
Renewable Energy Jobs – up 9.3 percent

Clean Jobs by Population (Jobs per 100,000 residents)

  1. North Dakota – 2,554
  2. Iowa – 1,811
  3. Massachusetts – 1,768
  4. Delaware – 1,700
  5. Alaska – 1,644
  6. Minnesota – 1,557
  7. Maine – 1,549
  8. Nebraska – 1,510
  9. Washington – 1,461
  10. Kansas – 1,456
Clean Jobs by State
  1. California – 276,493
  2. Texas – 268,349
  3. New York – 190,964
  4. Illinois – 168,998
  5. Michigan – 143,319
  6. Ohio – 129,447
  7. Pennsylvania – 126,012
  8. Massachusetts – 115,748
  9. Florida – 115,066
  10. Washington – 98,252
States With the Most Incentives for Sustainability and Renewables (in no particular order):

Minnesota
California
Oregon
Washington
Texas
Indiana
Colorado
Florida
New York
Iowa

“Renewable energy is the future and this data proves that more than ever,” said Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Program Chair and Manager of Environmental Operations. “With solar jobs up 54 percent and clean tech jobs up overall nearly 20 percent, it’s definitely an exciting time in the sustainable energy industry.”

Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index is an aggregation of statistics by state. Although it may indicate a greater possibility for employment in the clean economy sector, the Clean Jobs Index in no way indicates the presence or the promise of any specific job opportunities. Data for the Index is gathered regularly from independent research entities including: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Green Building Council.

To learn more about the Clean Jobs Index, please visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/cleanjobsindex. To learn more about Ecotech Institute, go to http://www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers eight highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com 

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