Key Hiring trends in Battery and clean energy
The battery and clean technology sectors are evolving rapidly, with an increasing demand for skilled professionals. Staying ahead of hiring trends is crucial for companies of any size looking to attract top talent. At Handpicked Talent, we’ve analyzed the latest data to give you key insights to inform your recruitment strategy.
Historical Job GRowth
In 2022, clean energy jobs grew by 114,000 (3.9%), reaching 3.1 million and outpacing the overall U.S. employment growth rate of 3.1%, with clean energy jobs accounting for 40% of total energy sector employment. Significant job additions were seen in solar (8,000 jobs), wind (2,000 jobs), hydroelectric power (1,000 jobs), and the EV sector, which saw battery electric vehicle jobs grow by 27% (28,000 new jobs) in 2022 (Source: Energy.gov)
REgional growth
Clean energy jobs grew in every U.S. state. States like Michigan, California, and Texas saw significant gains, with Michigan adding over 35,000 jobs, California 29,000, and Texas nearly 31,000 in the energy sector in 2021 (Source: Energy.gov).
Unionization & Workforce demographics
Unionized energy sector employers reported less difficulty in hiring skilled workers compared to non-unionized employers. The sector also has a higher representation of veterans and a younger workforce compared to national averages (Source: Energy.gov and Energy.gov).
Future projections
The clean energy transition is driving significant job growth, with the U.S. aiming for a 100% carbon-free electrical grid by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050 (Source: Energy.gov). Key areas of job expansion include energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and clean vehicles, with an emphasis on re-skilling and training the future workforce (Sources: Deloitte United States and Senate JEC).
Number of Jobs over time
The clean energy and battery sectors have seen significant job growth and investment in recent years, driven by technological advancements, supportive policies, and increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
Job Growth
In 2022, clean energy jobs increased by 114,000 (3.9%), reaching a total of 3.1 million jobs. This growth outpaced the overall U.S. employment growth rate of 3.1% during the same period. Clean energy jobs account for 40% of the total energy sector employment (Source: Energy.gov and The White House).
Between January 2021 and March 2023, the U.S. economy added 21,000 jobs in power generation and supply, with notable increases in solar (8,000 jobs), wind (2,000 jobs), and hydroelectric power (1,000 jobs) (Source: The White House).
Sector-Specific Growth
Electric Vehicles (EVs): The sector saw a substantial increase, with battery electric vehicle jobs growing by 27% in 2022, adding more than 28,000 new jobs (Source: Energy.gov and The White House).
Renewable Energy: The solar and wind energy sectors continued to expand, with solar energy jobs growing by 3.7% (adding 12,000 jobs) and wind energy jobs growing by 4.5% (adding 5,000 jobs) in 2022 (Source: Energy.gov).
Investment and Policy Support
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) have catalyzed significant investments in clean energy. These policies have resulted in over $227 billion in announced investments for utility-scale solar, storage, wind, and hydrogen projects since their enactment (Source: Deloitte United States).
Corporate commitments to renewable energy, such as the RE100 initiative, have further driven demand for clean energy jobs. In 2023, the number of companies procuring electricity from renewables increased by 31%, reflecting a robust corporate push towards sustainability (Source: Deloitte United States)
Demographic and Regional Insights:
Clean energy job growth was observed across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. States like West Virginia, Oklahoma, and New Mexico experienced tremendous gains, with clean energy jobs increasing by 19.3% in West Virginia and 9.1% in New Mexico and Oklahoma (Source: The White House).
Women made up over half of the net new energy jobs added in 2022, reflecting progress in gender diversity within the sector. The share of women in the energy workforce increased from 25% to 26% over the year (Source: The White House).
skills in demand
The demand for professionals in battery and clean technology has been steadily rising. These domains and subdomains encompass the vast field of battery and clean technologies, highlighting the specific skills required to excel in each area. Acquiring these skills through education, training, and hands-on experience can open up numerous opportunities in this rapidly growing sector.
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Geographic distribution of jobs
Cities like San Francisco and Boston are leading the charge with the highest job postings. Understanding these geographic trends can help you target your recruitment efforts more effectively.
California
As a leader in clean and battery technologies, California has a high concentration of jobs in both sectors, especially around the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The state's robust climate policies and large tech industry contribute to this concentration.
Massachusetts
Boston and the surrounding areas have a strong presence of clean technology jobs, driven by the state's focus on innovation and clean energy research.
Texas
Texas also has a significant presence in clean and battery technology jobs, particularly in cities like Houston and Austin. The state's large energy sector and growing focus on renewable energy sources drive this demand.
Michigan
With a historical strength in automotive manufacturing, Michigan, especially Detroit, is seeing growth in battery technology jobs as the state pivots towards electric vehicles and related technologies.
New York
New York, particularly New York City and the surrounding areas, is a notable hub for clean technology jobs. The state's commitment to green initiatives and urban sustainability projects fuel this concentration.
Washington
Seattle and its surroundings are significant centers for clean technology jobs, thanks to the region's environmental policies and tech industry presence.
Job Roles and TitleS
Job roles and titles can vary widely in clean and battery technology depending on the specific sector (e.g., energy storage, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems). Here’s an overview of typical roles and the skills or experience typically required:
Battery Engineer
Expertise in electrochemistry, materials science, and battery design; experience with battery testing and analysis; knowledge of battery management systems.
Battery systems Engineer
Knowledge of battery systems integration, energy management, and control systems; experience with system modeling and simulation; strong problem-solving skills.
Battery Energy Storage Engineer
Design and optimize battery storage systems, requiring expertise in battery technologies, system integration, and power electronics. They also need experience in system modeling, project management, and regulatory compliance, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Battery research & Development (R&D) Manager
Leadership in R&D projects; expertise in battery technologies; project management skills; ability to coordinate cross-functional teams.
Battery manufacturing technician
Hands-on experience with battery production processes; familiarity with quality control and safety procedures; mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
Battery scientist
Expertise in electrochemistry, materials science, and battery design; experience with battery testing and analysis; knowledge of battery management systems.
Clean energy engineer
Expertise in renewable energy systems (solar, wind, hydro); energy efficiency and conservation; proficiency in energy modeling and analysis software.
Environmental engineer
Expertise in pollution control and waste management; knowledge of environmental impact assessments; proficiency in environmental modeling and compliance.
Renewable energy project manager
Project management skills; knowledge of renewable energy project lifecycle; experience with regulatory compliance and stakeholder management.
Clean Tech Product Manager
Experience with product development and commercialization in clean tech; knowledge of market trends and customer needs; strategic solid planning skills.
Sustainability analyst
Understanding environmental regulations and sustainability practices; experience with data analysis and reporting; knowledge of life cycle assessment (LCA).
Energy Storage Specialist
In-depth knowledge of various energy storage technologies; experience with energy storage systems design and integration; ability to analyze performance data.
top hiring companies
Leading companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Walmart, Oracle, American Express, and others are at the forefront of hiring in this sector. By benchmarking against these industry leaders, you can refine your recruitment strategy to attract top talent.
stay competitive
Battery and Clean Technologies are constantly shifting as new discoveries and innovations come to market. Staying updated with hiring trends is critical to making informed decisions and developing an effective strategy. By leveraging these insights, you can enhance your recruitment strategy and attract skilled professionals to drive innovation.
Contact Handpicked Talent to learn how we can help your talent acquisition strategy today.