Eyes on the Green Dollars of Green Jobs

The numbers related to green energy jobs are impressive.  Estimates say that 3.3 million new jobs will be created by the Apollo Project, which is a $300 billion federal green investment plan. Indeed, President Obama has said that the creation of green-collar jobs will boost the economy and protect the environment.

Better Pay

For the millions of unemployed and underemployed workers, the more impressive news is that these green collar jobs often pay more than jobs in other sectors.  And since it's still a growing industry, the pay scale can become more impressive as time and technology moves on.  Of course, this good news is in addition to the fact that green jobs can fill in the employment gasp created by the Great Recession, as we now call the global recession of the past decade.

So, how much are green collar jobs worth?  Well, as with any industrial sector, it depends on many factors like position requirements, location and company policy.  In general, the median annual earnings range from $36,100 for an insulation worker to $112,000 for engineering management positions.  Now, for people with no or little job prospects, these earnings are sufficient to get their lives back on track particularly in regards to their financial status.

Yet another good news is that the better pay in Green jobs need not come at an expensive tuition.  Many entry-level jobs like solar fabrication technicians, solar energy system installers and wind turbine fabricators, all of which can pay over $40,000 yearly, only require a high school diploma and appropriate training in a green school.

Better Jobs

Aside from the fact that green energy jobs pay better money, you will also feel better because your job is either directly or indirectly linked to environmental protection.  In many ways, you have concrete and psychic incomes at the tips of your fingers. Plus, you will also be doing your share in ensuring that the future looks bright for your own children. Now, what could be better that that?

As previously mentioned, there are two entry-level jobs that are popular nowadays.  You can be any of these renewable energy workers given the right skills set and the right green school training:

     * Solar power installer - At present, there is an estimated 770,000 green jobs of this kind all over the world and it is poised to grow to over 110,000 by 2016 in the United States with the stimulus plan in place.  It pays very well - about $15 to $35 per hour - depending on location and expertise.  Individuals with construction skills are often at an advantage because the job requires knowledge in practical installation, of which the theory can come in the form of either in-school or on-the-job training or both.

    * Wind turbine fabricator - Wind power is one of the leading and fastest-growing sources of renewable, alternative energy in the world today, second only to solar power.  Because wind energy is dependent in a sense on working with metal, individuals with skills in handling metal, such as the beleaguered workers in the auto industry, can repurpose their skills to become wind turbine fabricators.  Again, in-school training is an advantage.

Green jobs are better in many ways.  You can keep your eyes on the green dollar while ensuring that you are doing more than your fair share in keeping Mother Earth as green as possible.