Clean Energy Jobs in 2025: Where Growth Is Happening and Why It Matters

Published September 29, 2025

The E2 Clean Jobs America 2025 report provides an in-depth look at the state of clean energy employment across the United States. With millions of Americans now working in industries tied to renewable power, efficiency, electric vehicles, and advanced grid technologies, the report highlights both the scale and momentum of the transition. The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) further underscores these findings, showing how clean energy continues to outpace fossil fuel employment. Beyond the numbers, these jobs signal a broader economic and environmental shift, offering insights into how the U.S. is positioning itself in a rapidly changing global energy landscape.

Clean Energy Job Growth in Numbers

The 2025 reports show that clean energy jobs now exceed 3.4 million nationwide, with a net increase of more than 150,000 positions compared to 2024. According to the USEER, energy efficiency accounts for over 2.1 million of these jobs, followed by renewable energy generation with about 560,000 roles and clean vehicle manufacturing with more than 400,000. By contrast, fossil fuel employment stands at under 1.9 million, highlighting the rapid shift in workforce composition. Growth of approximately 5% year-over-year reflects strong market demand and the impact of federal and state incentives designed to accelerate deployment. These trends demonstrate that clean energy jobs are not only resilient but also expanding even in the face of broader economic uncertainty.

Sectors Driving Job Creation

The clean energy job landscape in 2025 is shaped by several high-growth industries:

Solar and wind energy employ more than 380,000 workers combined, with strong demand for installation crews, technicians, and manufacturing roles. These sectors continue to provide some of the largest employment opportunities in clean power.
Energy efficiency remains the single largest source of clean energy employment, with more than 2.1 million workers engaged in construction, building retrofits, HVAC, and insulation. Efficiency work has shown consistent resilience, with opportunities spread across every state.
Electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries employ over 400,000 workers, driven by new manufacturing plants, expanded charging infrastructure, and battery recycling initiatives. Jobs extend beyond auto assembly into logistics, materials, and supply chain roles.
Grid modernization, which includes transmission, storage, and digital tools, has added roughly 120,000 jobs, creating opportunities for engineers, line workers, and IT specialists. These roles are vital to ensuring reliability while integrating renewable generation.

Among these, EV and battery jobs are the fastest-growing, with more than 20% year-over-year expansion, while energy efficiency continues to dominate in terms of total workforce size.

Regional and State-Level Trends

The report highlights that clean energy employment is spread widely, but with clear leaders. According to DOE data, California leads with more than 550,000 clean energy jobs, followed by Texas at nearly 260,000 and New York at over 160,000. Other states, including Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona, are posting some of the fastest year-over-year growth, largely due to new EV and battery manufacturing hubs.

Regional strengths are evident: the Midwest benefits from its manufacturing base, producing EVs and components; the Sunbelt states are thriving in solar deployment; coastal regions are investing heavily in offshore wind. State-level policy support, combined with federal programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is driving momentum. The data reflects how both policy frameworks and market dynamics are shaping job creation patterns across the country.

Workforce Development and Equity Challenges

Despite the strong numbers, challenges remain. Employers across clean energy sectors report skills gaps, signaling the need for expanded training, apprenticeships, and partnerships with community colleges. Workforce development is critical not only to meet current demand but to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Equity is another central issue. Ensuring that opportunities reach rural areas, low-income communities, and workers transitioning from fossil fuel jobs will determine how broadly the benefits of the clean economy are shared. Programs targeting underserved populations are growing, but the reports emphasize that additional support is needed. Finally, issues like permitting delays and supply chain constraints risk slowing momentum if not addressed alongside workforce challenges.

Conclusion: Why Clean Jobs Matter for the Future

Clean energy jobs are more than an employment statistic. They are a foundation for economic growth, global competitiveness, and climate action. The expansion of solar, EVs, efficiency, and grid technologies is creating durable, geographically diverse opportunities. At the same time, these jobs are directly tied to decarbonization targets, offering a pathway toward achieving net-zero emissions while strengthening communities. The next phase of the transition will depend on continued workforce investment, policy alignment, and industry innovation to fully realize the potential of America’s clean energy boom.