Discover Career Opportunities in Nevada’s Clean Energy Economy

21,000 + Jobs and Counting: Nevada’s Clean Energy Workforce is Growing

Nevada is at the forefront of a clean energy revolution. Significant investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) have spurred unprecedented growth in our state’s clean energy sector, injecting $15.5 billion into our economy (the eighth highest in the nation) and encouraging 20 new clean energy projects in solar, electric vehicles, clean technologies, batteries, and grid and transmission.

These historic federal investments have already created 21,703 good-paying jobs right here in Nevada (the sixth most in the country), spanning fields like battery manufacturing and solar energy production. Other careers in this industry include those in energy storage and grid modernization, energy efficiency, and clean transportation, many of which don’t require a traditional four-year college degree.

Clean energy economy jobs offer high wages and robust protections for workers. Labor standards tied to the IRA, which includes prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements, could create 3.9 million new high-quality jobs across the U.S., with Nevada projected to gain over 550,000 positions. These standards ensure that clean energy jobs rival traditional energy sectors like fossil fuels in both pay and job quality, often aligning with union wages, which further solidify these roles as family-sustaining careers.

The clean energy industry requires a diverse workforce with a broad range of skills beyond traditional roles such as engineering or construction. The workforce needs talents from various backgrounds, including those in project management, finance, community relations, and technology development.

In addition to clean energy, these historic federal investments are helping build Nevada’s broader workforce. Millions are being directed toward training programs in manufacturing, health care, IT, and transportation—fields critical to our state’s economic future. A $4 million federal grant awarded to Nevadaworks last year will help scale up these efforts and connect more Nevadans with good-paying careers.

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Career opportunities await

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, Nevada’s clean energy industry offers a range of high-paying and stable job opportunities. These careers will continue to reshape and recharge our economy for decades to come!

Large-scale clean energy projects, like the expansion of battery campuses or solar manufacturing facilities, are not only boosting Nevada’s clean energy output but also providing durable careers that support families and communities in both urban and rural areas.

Additionally, programs encouraging home electrification, like federal tax credits and the upcoming Home Energy Rebates program, are growing the need for HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers.

Most importantly, many clean energy jobs don’t require a four-year college degree, especially entry-level positions like solar installers, which often require a high school diploma, technical training, and/or just experience. In some cases, apprenticeship programs are available for clean energy jobs, so you can even “EARN, while you LEARN”!

Explore job networks

Ready to start your clean energy career? Explore existing job networks:

Education and apprenticeship opportunities

Nevada’s higher education institutions are playing a pivotal role in preparing a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the growing clean energy industry.

College of Southern Nevada: Apprenticeships bridging education and industry

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) offers apprenticeship programs that are integral to supporting the growing energy sector, particularly in areas like building trades, carpentry, operating engineering, and maintenance engineering.

Apprenticeship programs are designed to provide hands-on training and real-world experience, equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in energy-related projects, which are crucial for the installation, maintenance, and operation of renewable energy facilities and infrastructure. By focusing on these key trades, CSN is working to make sure its graduates are prepared to meet the workforce demands for clean and renewable energy projects.

University of Nevada, Reno: Leading the charge with the Nevada Tech Hub

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is at the center of these efforts with its Nevada Tech Hub Initiative. With a $21 million investment from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, UNR’s Tech Hub will work to advance capabilities in critical materials such as lithium, which are essential for battery and renewable energy technologies.

The Tech Hub is also committed to workforce development efforts, which will be coordinated by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation to develop and support a skilled workforce to meet the dynamic hiring needs of the lithium batteries, critical elements, and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors. The Workforce Development Component of this initiative is designed to influence the career paths of 50,000 workers over the next five years, including targeted efforts to integrate English language learners and individuals within the correctional system into the workforce.

Upcoming training programs

The Governor’s Office of Energy plans to roll out targeted training programs focused on energy efficiency and electrifications. These programs include the State Energy Program – Energy Workforce Development, the Energy Auditor Training Grant Program, and a Contractor Training Grant, all designed to expand the number of qualified professionals ready to support home and business-level energy upgrades.

Nevada’s broader workforce will get a major boost, too, through federal investments. The state secured $14.9 million for workforce and economic development projects across northern Nevada, growing the talent pipeline for manufacturing, health care, information technology, and transportation. Northern Nevada will also benefit from a $4 million federal grant to expand registered apprenticeship programs and workforce development designed through Nevadaworks. Nevada received an additional $800,000 to expand workforce training for industries facing urgent labor shortages in southern Nevada.

Together, these significant federal investments in Nevada’s workforce will build a stronger, more skilled labor force, ensuring Nevadans are ready to power the state’s clean energy future and meet the demands of our fast-growing industry.