Utilizing renewable energy and sustainable resources will impact our future for generations to come. Hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear power are part of the current resources, but what new energy technology might the future hold? Doing more with less will likely be a focus of future research and development. Pollution created by energy and utility use poses a significant challenge for environmentalists and scientists now and in the future. Improving the recycling of waste materials from trash to sewage will offer many employment opportunities in the Energy and Utilities Industry Sector.
Electromechanical refers to the combining of electrical and mechanical parts in devices such as electric motors, loudspeakers, and adding machines. Students will need to understand energy conversion processes and energy transmission systems, as well as the installation and maintenance of equipment used in this field.
Individuals preparing for careers in energy and environmental technology will need to develop a working knowledge of related available resources and how the use of these resources and systems impact the environment. Conservation methods including procedures to measure energy efficiency will be important for the future of our nation.
The word “utilities” refers to the set of services associated with electricity, natural gas, water, and sewage. Because these services are expensive to develop, operate, and maintain, utility companies are primarily “public” in governance. However, a growing number of privately owned utilities are emerging. Public utility companies are subject to government control and regulation and employ a large number of people.
The Residential and Commercial Energy and Utilities Pathway provides learning opportunities for jobs involved in obtaining, verifying, and maintaining primary financial data and records for the usage of electricity, gas, water, and sewer utilities. Technicians and engineers are needed to develop, operate, and maintain energy and utility systems for homes and businesses.
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial & Industrial Designers | 5,900 | 6,600 |
700 |
11.9% |
$36.46 |
$1,458.40 |
$6,125.28 |
$73,503.40 |
| Conservation Scientists | 1,000 | 1,100 |
100 |
10.0% |
$32.92 |
$1,316.80 |
$5,530.56 |
$66,366.70 |
| Electric Motor, Power tool Repairs | 1,600 | 1,600 |
0 |
0.0% |
$19.75 |
$790.00 |
$3,318.00 |
$39,816.00 |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering Tech | 23,000 | 25,300 |
2,300 |
10.0% |
$28.31 |
$1,132.40 |
$4,756.08 |
$57,073.00 |
| Electrical Engineers | 19,600 | 20,700 |
1,100 |
5.6% |
$45.45 |
$1,818.00 |
$7,635.60 |
$91,627.20 |
| Engineering Technicians | 12,000 | 13,900 |
1,900 |
15.8% |
$27.70 |
$1,108.00 |
$4,653.60 |
$55,843.20 |
| Environmental Engineers | 4,800 | 6,000 |
1,200 |
25.0% |
$39.69 |
$1,587.60 |
$6,667.92 |
$80,015.00 |
| Environmental Technicians | 3,400 | 4,400 |
1,000 |
29.4% |
$23.59 |
$943.60 |
$3,963.12 |
$47,557.40 |
| Geological & Petroleum Engineers | 2,200 | 2,500 |
300 |
13.6% |
$40.44 |
$1,617.60 |
$6,793.92 |
$81,527.00 |
| Geological & Petroleum Technicians | 2,200 | 2,500 |
300 |
13.6% |
$40.44 |
$1,617.60 |
$6,793.92 |
$81,527.00 |
| Heating/Air-conditioning & Refrigeration | 19,700 | 22,200 |
2,500 |
12.7% |
$22.81 |
$912.40 |
$3,832.08 |
$45,985.00 |
| Home Appliance Repairers | 6,200 | 6,900 |
700 |
11.3% |
$19.25 |
$770.00 |
$3,234.00 |
$38,808.00 |
| Hydrologists | 1,000 | 1,300 |
300 |
30.0% |
$38.07 |
$1,522.80 |
$6,395.76 |
$76,749.10 |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians | 6,500 | 8,100 |
1,600 |
24.6% |
$27.67 |
$1,106.80 |
$4,648.56 |
$55,782.70 |
| Industrial Engineers | 19,400 | 24,700 |
5,300 |
27.3% |
$40.79 |
$1,631.60 |
$6,852.72 |
$82,232.60 |
| Management Analysts | 89,100 | 105,900 |
16,800 |
18.9% |
$42.41 |
$1,696.40 |
$7,124.88 |
$85,498.60 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | 5,000 | 4,700 |
-300 |
-6.0% |
$20.75 |
$830.00 |
$3,486.00 |
$41,832.00 |
| Nuclear Engineers | 1,100 | 1,200 |
100 |
9.1% |
$48.70 |
$1,948.00 |
$8,181.60 |
$98,179.20 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers |
0 |
0.0% |
$35.53 |
$1,421.20 |
$5,969.04 |
$71,628.50 |
||
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 4,300 | 4,900 |
600 |
14.0% |
$34.23 |
$1,369.20 |
$5,750.64 |
$69,007.70 |
| Water & Liquid Waste Treatment Worker | 8,300 | 9,900 |
1,600 |
19.3% |
$25.80 |
$1,032.00 |
$4,334.40 |
$52,012.80 |
This material is made pursuant to agreement number 07-0170a of the CTE Community Collaborative Supplemental grant. Funds were administered by the Governor’s CTE Initiative SB70/SB 1133 through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Activity that is the subject of this document was supported in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education should be inferred.
