Engineering heads list of fastest-growing green jobs

Author highlights jobs that will help renew America.

Source: Randy Woods, NWjobs

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Of all the miracle cures that have been proposed to heal the nation's economy in the last few years, the so-called "clean tech" industry may be the most disappointing so far. Countless "green" companies endorsed a bright future, full of silent windmills, shiny solar panels, and clean-burning biofuels that would pull us out of the recession and save the world, to boot.

According to a story in Nwjobs in reality, it's clear that the capital needed to jump-start these massive energy projects and create new jobs is far steeper than we first imagined. Until banks are willing to loosen up credit, many of these grand projects will remain on the drawing board for some time to come.

The trend can be seen in the latest findings by occupational expert and author Laurence Shatkin. In his latest book, " 200 Best Jobs for Renewing America " Shatkin analyzes six industry sectors that he says will lead a shift toward a "forward-looking economy"--education, infrastructure, health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and green technology--and identifies sectors that have the fastest-growing and best-paying jobs in the nation.

In the green technology sector, Shatkin found that many of the new jobs can be found in the construction industry as property owners look for ways to reduce energy and operational costs. Here are the top 10 green jobs, in terms of nationwide growth, highlighted in Shatkin's book:

1. Environmental Engineers. Growth: 25.4%; avg. annual earnings: $72,350
2. Environmental Scientists and Specialists. Growth: 25.1%; avg. annual earnings: $58,380
3. Geoscientists. Growth: 21.9%; avg. annual earnings: $75,800
4. Industrial Engineers. Growth: 20.3%; avg. annual earnings: $71,430
5. Construction and Building Instructors. Growth: 18.2%; avg. annual earnings: $48,330
6. Construction Managers. Growth: 15.7%; avg. annual earnings: $76,230
7. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters. Growth: 10.6%; avg. annual earnings: $44,090
8. Carpenters. Growth: 10.3%; avg. annual earnings: $37,660
9. First-line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. Growth: 9.1%; avg. annual earnings: $55,950
10. Electricians. Growth: 7.4%; avg. annual earnings: $44,780

Read the full story in NWjobs.