U.S. Renewable Energy Jobs Expected to Surge – Wind and Solar Technicians Top Future Job Prospects
Editor
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a job outlook report up to 2034 on November 28, highlighting the steep growth in the renewable energy sector. The projection that wind turbine technicians will increase by 49.9% over the next decade is truly astonishing. Solar panel technicians are also expected to grow by 42.1%, making renewable energy-related professions the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. job market.
This outcome was somewhat anticipated. The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has facilitated a $370 billion investment in clean energy, and the effects of this policy continue to be felt as of December 2025. With wind power capacity having increased by over 20% compared to 2023 and solar installations growing nearly 30% annually, the surge in demand for related technicians is a natural consequence.
However, it is important to note the gap between growth rates and the actual number of jobs created. Despite the high growth rate of 49.9% for wind turbine technicians, only 6,800 new jobs are expected, and solar panel technicians will see just 12,000 new jobs. Combined, this amounts to roughly 20,000 jobs, which is quite limited considering the overall size of the U.S. job market.
## Background and Market Trends of the Surge in Renewable Energy Technicians
Several structural changes underpin this rapid growth. The share of renewable energy in U.S. electricity production has increased to about 22% as of 2025, nearly double the level in 2020. In states like Texas, California, and Iowa, wind and solar account for over 30% of total electricity production.
There have also been significant advancements on the technical front. The capacity of the latest wind turbines has increased to 15MW, and the efficiency of solar panels has improved to 22-24%. These technological advancements have made installation and maintenance work more complex, increasing the importance of skilled technicians.
In terms of market size, the U.S. wind power market is currently valued at approximately $25 billion annually, while the solar market exceeds $30 billion. Large utility companies like NextEra Energy (NEE) are investing over $10 billion annually in renewable energy projects, and solar specialists like First Solar (FSLR) are significantly expanding their manufacturing capabilities.
Interestingly, this growth is not solely dependent on government policy. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for wind and solar has decreased to a level competitive with natural gas. As of 2025, onshore wind costs $35-45 per MWh, and utility-scale solar costs $40-50, which is cheaper than natural gas at $50-60.
General Electric (GE) records $15 billion in annual sales from its wind turbine division alone, employing over 50,000 people worldwide. Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems (VWS) employs over 10,000 people in the U.S. market alone, with investments and employment expansion by these large companies directly correlating with increased demand for technicians.
## Comparison with the Korean Market and Global Trends
Comparing with the situation in Korea provides further insights. Domestically, Hanwha Solutions (009830) is building a solar module plant in the U.S., and Doosan Enerbility (034020) is enhancing its global competitiveness in the offshore wind turbine market. Notably, Doosan Enerbility successfully commercialized an 8MW offshore wind turbine in the first half of 2025 and is currently developing a 10MW turbine.
However, the renewable energy technician market in Korea presents a different picture compared to the U.S. In Korea, renewable energy accounts for only about 9% of total electricity production, and related job opportunities are relatively limited. Although the government announced plans to expand the share of renewable energy to 30% by 2030, the actual progress falls short of the target.
Nevertheless, Korean companies are actively expanding overseas. Hanwha Solutions is investing $1.7 billion to build a solar module plant in Georgia, U.S., which is expected to create 1,700 local jobs upon completion. Such overseas expansion is opening new opportunities for domestic technicians to work abroad, providing new prospects for Korean renewable energy technicians.
Globally, these trends are accelerating. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), global employment in the renewable energy sector reached 15.8 million in 2024, with the solar sector accounting for 5.2 million and the wind sector for 3.8 million. This is projected to increase to 25 million worldwide by 2030.
China already handles over 80% of global solar panel production, with related employment exceeding 4 million. The European Union has announced plans to create 1 million new jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2030 through the Green Deal policy. In this global competition, the U.S. strategy to increase domestic manufacturing and employment through the IRA appears to be a rational choice.
However, there are still challenges to address. Becoming a wind turbine or solar panel technician requires specialized education and training, and the current U.S. vocational training system is struggling to keep up with the rising demand. Additionally, most of these jobs are concentrated in specific regions, raising concerns about regional imbalances.
Another noteworthy point from the BLS report is the projected decline in employment in traditional energy industries. Employment in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction is expected to decrease by 1.6% over the next decade, indicating that the energy transition is fundamentally altering existing industry structures. Although major oil companies are increasing investments in renewable energy, these still account for only about 10% of their total investments.
Ultimately, the BLS announcement underscores that the energy transition is now functioning as a practical economic driver rather than just a policy goal. Although the absolute number of jobs is still limited, considering growth rates and future prospects, the outlook for renewable energy technicians is quite promising. Especially with the active overseas expansion of Korean companies, new opportunities are opening up for domestic technicians, which is highly encouraging.
This article was written after reading an international article and adding personal opinions and analysis.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a news outlet, and the content is the author’s personal opinion. The responsibility for investment decisions lies with the investor, and no liability is accepted for investment losses based on the content of this article.
