Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced record-high clean energy job growth in New York State with 178,000 workers employed at the end of 2023—an increase of 7,700 jobs—per the findings from the 2024 New York Clean Energy Industry Report. Growth in clean energy sector jobs more than doubled that of overall job growth statewide.
The 2024 New York Clean Energy Industry Report, released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides data on the State’s clean energy industry through the end of 2023. The report shows New York’s clean energy economy grew 5 percent from 2022 to 2023, which is more than double the statewide economic growth rate, and added more than 32,000 jobs since 2016 when NYSERDA first began tracking clean energy jobs.
Additional findings from this year’s report include:
- Clean and alternative transportation jobs grew the fastest at 16 percent, expanding by 2,100 jobs in just 12 months.
- Electric vehicle charging jobs surged by 27 percent over the last year, representing one of the fastest-growing segments in clean energy.
- The building decarbonization and energy efficiency sector rose by 3 percent, exceeding its pre-pandemic high, adding nearly 4,000 jobs. It remains the largest source of clean energy jobs, employing more than half of all clean energy workers.
- Grid modernization and energy storage jobs increased by 7 percent.
- Renewable electric power generation jobs grew by 6 percent, with more than 1,400 new jobs.
- Roughly one-third of clean energy jobs were in disadvantaged communities, including 2,200 jobs added in 2023.
- Clean energy workers expressed higher job satisfaction than other New York energy workers, with 65 percent of clean energy workers reporting being “very satisfied” with their careers.
- 93 percent of clean energy workers anticipated career advancement in the next 12 months.
- Entry-level clean energy jobs on average paid 12 percent more; and mid-level clean energy jobs paid 7 percent higher, compared to that same job outside the clean energy industry.
- Nine in 10 clean energy employers offer healthcare benefits.
“This report showcases the value of the clean energy transition and the tangible impact a thriving clean energy economy has on people’s livelihoods,” Governor Hochul said. “Through a combination of comprehensive workforce development initiatives and programs that are increasing clean energy deployment and reducing emissions from buildings, transportation, and the electric grid, we are fostering more prosperous communities with access to good-paying jobs statewide.”
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