Energy sector jobs grew 4 percent in 2021, according to DOE 2022 report
Jobs in the energy sector grew 4 percent in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2022 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER).
Overall, the number of energy jobs increased to 7.8 million, up from 7.5 million in 2020. Further, more than 3 million jobs of those jobs support reducing emissions to zero. Growth in the energy sector outpaced overall job growth in the United States, up 2.8 percent in 2021.
“Amidst the unique challenges of a nation coming out of a global pandemic, America’s energy sector stands out with considerable job growth across nearly all industries,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “DOE’s USEER report shows that jobs critical to our clean energy transition are on the rise and poised for continued expansion thanks to the historic investments from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
The USEER covers five major energy industries: electric power generation; motor vehicles; energy efficiency; transmission, distribution, and storage; and fuels. The findings show that all industries, except for fuels, experienced job growth in 2021. Specifically, electric vehicle jobs increased by 26.2 percent, hybrid electric vehicle jobs increased by 19.7 percent, solar energy jobs increased by 5.4 percent, wind energy jobs increased by 2.9 percent, energy efficiency jobs increased by 2.7 percent, and transmission, distribution, and storage jobs increased by 1.9 percent. Additionally, nuclear electricity, coal, and petroleum jobs decreased in 2021.
Michigan had the highest job growth in the sector, gaining 35,463 net jobs, while Texas was second, gaining 30,903 jobs. California was third, gaining 29,429 energy jobs. Further, West Virginia and Pennsylvania added the most jobs in transmission, distribution, and storage.
“We will continue fostering clean energy vehicle job growth and finding ways to pursue our long-term carbon neutrality goals too by expanding clean energy production and making energy efficient home repairs, lowering costs for families and communities. The clean energy future is bright, and Michigan is proud to be leading the way,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.
Despite the growth, energy jobs have still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Only a few industries within the sector, including wind energy, electric vehicles, and hybrid-electric vehicles, had more jobs in 2021 than before the pandemic.
The recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides significant investments in clean energy infrastructure, including $62 billion for DOE to expand access to energy efficiency, deliver clean and affordable power, and invest in technologies.
“The nation’s accelerating growth in clean energy is creating thousands of new jobs. Investing in clean energy means more jobs, lower costs, and healthier communities. That’s why Congress should pass the major clean energy investments President Biden wants. We can strengthen the economy and chart a path toward a stable climate at the same time,” said Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president of political affairs at Environmental Defense Fund.
