Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
SOC code 17-2199 · O*NET-SOC 17-2199.03 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$122,930
a year
Hourly
$59.10
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$125,330
$60.26 per hour
Middle 50%
$90,970 – $158,090
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$66,810 – $189,950
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
154,070
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $66,810
- $32.12/hr
- 25th percentile
- $90,970
- $43.73/hr
- Median percentile
- $122,930
- $59.10/hr
- 75th percentile
- $158,090
- $76.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $189,950
- $91.32/hr
What do energy engineers, except wind and solar do?
Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
- Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
- Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
- Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
- Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
- Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
- Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
- Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does an energy engineers, except wind and solar earn?
The national median is $122,930 a year. The full range runs from $66,810 at the 10th percentile to $189,950 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an energy engineers, except wind and solar without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Science3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.6/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- Mechanical4.2/5
- Building and Construction4.1/5
- Design3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Physics3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis.