The whole world is undergoing an energy transformation. Companies and governments are investing millions of dollars in clean, safe, and renewable energy sources. The energy industry is experiencing one of its best years, and this progress shows no evidence of slowing.

If you want to expand your knowledge of energy sources and how to create clean, safe energy projects for people, you should learn how to become an energy engineer. In this guide, we break down required skills and education, salaries, and job outlook.

An energy engineer is a person in charge of energy projects. These workers are experts in directing power plant construction, creating power system budgets for various enterprises, planning energy-saving strategies, and other related tasks.

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To start your career in this industry, you should know that most companies hire people with academic degrees. Education is fundamental to becoming an energy engineer.

A university is an ideal place to gain the knowledge necessary for this career. Energy engineering is a combination of chemistry, mathematics, physics, economics, and environmental science. Each of these subjects will aid the work of an energy engineer.

Most companies hire energy managers or engineers with university degrees, so the most beneficial option is a bachelor’s degree. If you want to become a successful energy engineer, pay attention to the education tracks available to you.

A community college offers two-year programs where you can learn at the same level as a four-year university. You will receive an associate degree, which you can use to access great job opportunities in the United States.

Clinton Community College, part of the SUNY system in New York, is an example of a junior college that offers associate degree programs for aspiring energy engineers. Its Associate of Applied Science in Renewable Energy Technologies covers electrical technology, science, mathematics, industrial technology, and other topics related to renewable energy.

After receiving your associate degree, you will be an entry-level energy technician. A report from Salary.com says that an energy technician with an associate degree earns between $56,140 and $61,368 per year.

The university is the leading training center for new energy engineers. With a bachelor’s degree, you can go on to a career in energy systems engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, or other related fields.

A statistic from Salary.com says that a renewable energy engineer with a bachelor’s degree can earn up to $78,569 per year. These figures depend on the company, the state, your years of service, and your work experience.

One of the most significant advantages of taking an academic path is that you have more options after receiving your bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree and a doctoral degree are the two highest academic levels you can achieve.

These degrees increase your chances of finding a job and achieving higher salaries. According to Salary.com, an energy engineer with a doctoral degree earns up to $82,000 per year.

Standalone courses in energy engineering do not guarantee professional certification, nor do they guarantee a job.

However, an advantage of these programs is that they are a great way to pursue continuing education. You can access vast amounts of content, learn more about new developments in the industry, improve your knowledge of technical concepts, and increase other soft skills

There is no perfect procedure for becoming an energy engineer. However, you can take into account the requirements and experiences of professionals in the industry. If you analyze their steps, you will get insight into the best options for this career path.

Pay attention to the five steps below to become an energy engineer.

A professional in this career must be prepared for anything. The skills of an energy engineer can change depending on the company, their experience, and the type of project. It is important to be aware of the most in-demand skills for energy engineers.

A PayScale report says that an energy engineer has an average salary of about $72,000, although a percentage of these workers can earn close to $96,000 per year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of environmental engineering jobs is set to increase by three percent by 2029.

An entry-level energy engineer needs one to two years of experience as an intern or employee of a company, state-mandated certifications, a bachelor’s degree, as well as fluency in English, and design software skills.

The tasks of an energy engineer are more complicated than you might expect. Your daily routine will depend on the project you’re working on or the company you work for. Although most jobs require the use of some prior knowledge, it does not mean that you have to use all of your theoretical and practical knowledge for every task.

Below are the most common daily tasks of an energy engineer.

You should know that state laws and many companies require special licenses to work as energy engineers. These certifications are tests to assess your knowledge and skills in this field.

Usually, a license does not expire. Before starting the licensing process, however, you should know what you’re getting into. Make sure to read up on the costs, requirements, and renewal process for any certification you’re thinking about applying for.

Below are the three most popular energy engineer certifications today.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a credentialing organization that offers online programs to educate people about clean energy practices and the effects of climate change.

This association offers credentials for energy managers, water efficiency professionals, energy auditors, lighting efficiency professionals, and others.

A Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) license is valid only for energy engineers working as auditors. To earn your certification, you must prove your knowledge of residential energy, service improvements, and local energy savings.

At the Building Performance Institute (BPI), you can receive a Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate. This BPI license is conferred after you pass technical tests demonstrating your knowledge of energy and planning.

According to the BPI website, the exam costs approximately $317. If you fail the test, you have to pay $99 to repeat it.

To get a job, you have to ace the job interview. In some careers, the questions asked in a job interview are not as important as practical skills. However, you must be prepared to answer questions about yourself and your career goals.
Below you will see the four most frequently asked questions during an energy engineer job interview.

The time it takes depends entirely on you. Your performance and motivation are what can lead you to a successful career.

But, if you take the traditional path, a bachelor’s degree will take between four and five years to complete, and all the required licenses will take an additional three to twelve months.

If you want to improve your knowledge before looking for a job, consider pursuing a master’s degree. This requires approximately three years of study. If you choose to continue your education, a doctoral degree takes four or six years, depending on the field.

Depending on your educational choices, becoming an energy engineer will take between five and ten years.

Yes. Technological developments and the declining reliance on oil and gas help the prospects for this career. An energy engineer helps create safer, more efficient, and more ecologically sustainable energy systems for the world.

Another reason to become an energy engineer is that you can study from home. Many online colleges have e-learning platforms that successfully teach thousands of students every day. Take advantage of available resources and start down this career path today.