5 Climate Change Jobs

Key takeaways

Climate change jobs exist across many fields, including science, engineering, business, and law.

• Common job titles in climate change include climate data scientist, environmental engineer, environmental lawyer, renewable energy engineer, and sustainability and climate change consultant.

• Professionals addressing climate change rely on skills such as research and innovation, climate change finance, and data analysis. 

• You can enhance your career prospects as a climate change professional by pursuing certifications focused on sustainability. 

If you're concerned about climate change, consider a career that takes action toward alleviating it. Learn more about climate change jobs and decide if this is the right career path for you. Afterward, enroll in Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate to learn how to clean and organize data for analysis, apply data ethics, and visualize data findings. 

5 climate change jobs to consider

Whether you enjoy sitting at a desk or working outdoors, climate change jobs exist across many fields, including science, engineering, business, and law. While some professionals in these fields use complex formulas to make predictions about climate change, others find solutions to environmental or climate problems by making new laws. Here are five climate change careers to consider. 

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Climate data scientist 

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $90,000 [1]

Climate scientists study aspects of Earth's climate like temperature, sunlight, and precipitation. They use complex mathematical formulas and computer models to help predict climate change’s effects on the ocean, the food supply, regional weather patterns, and more. 

To become a climate scientist, you can pursue a bachelor's degree in climate science, climatology, meteorology, or another related field. For an educational track, get an entry-level job that allows you to work simultaneously on a master's degree. Some companies and organizations might even help pay for your tuition to entice you to stay at the job. 

While some climate scientists work in an office or a lab, others may spend the majority of their time working in the field.

2. Environmental engineer 

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $132,000 [2]

Environmental engineers identify environmental problems and create plans to fix them using biology, chemistry, engineering, and soil science knowledge. They create systems and structures such as sewers, aqueducts, sustainable buildings, and wind turbines. 

To be an environmental engineer, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related field. Join a cooperative environmental engineering program, and you can alternate periods of academic study with full-time work. 

As an environmental engineer, you might work in both an office and a construction setting, taking samples or surveying progress. 

3. Environmental lawyer 

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $123,000 [3]

Environmental lawyers represent individuals, companies, or organizations in legal issues regarding the environment, such as climate change, land use, or water rights. 

As an environmental lawyer, you could work for state or federal agencies, nonprofit groups, or corporations. Job duties might include working on court cases, lobbying for pro-environment legislation, consulting on sustainable business practices, and counseling clients on environmental regulations and laws.

To become an environmental lawyer, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in a field like environmental studies, public policy, or political science. Then, earn a law degree and pass the bar exam. 

Read more: 5 Types of Law Degrees

4. Renewable energy engineer 

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $112,000 [4]

Renewable energy engineers work on ways to get energy from renewable sources such as wind, sun, and water. They also work to reduce the use of finite energy sources, like oil. These engineers might be advisors, consultants, designers, or builders. Some job duties might include report preparation, energy system inspections, project management, and data analysis.

If you're interested in becoming a renewable energy engineer, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in renewable energy engineering or a related field, such as electrical or mechanical engineering. Then, consider an internship or entry-level position with a renewable energy company to get some hands-on work experience and professional connections. 

5. Sustainability and climate change (S&CC) consultant

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $115,000 [5]

Sustainability and climate change (S&CC) consultants help companies and organizations become more socially and environmentally responsible. They are sometimes now called environment, social, and governance (ESG) consultants. They offer advice on sustainable building practices and environmentally friendly materials. They also show clients how to decrease energy consumption and waste by putting tools in place to measure and monitor corresponding data. 

To become an S&CC or ESG consultant, aim for a bachelor's degree in environmental science, community development, or sustainability for an entry-level position. At the consultant level, you may need a master's degree or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in sustainability. As an S&CC consultant, you'll likely work in an office, but you may be required to travel to meet with clients and conduct site inspections. 

What degree is best for job opportunities in climate change?

Earn your bachelor’s degree before applying for climate change jobs. You can choose from various majors to equip you with the knowledge you need to work in environmental science and climate change. Consider such majors as atmospheric science, ecological management and restoration, environmental science, biology, and physical science. 

Outlook for jobs in climate change

It's projected that jobs for environmental scientists and specialists will increase by 4 percent between 2024 and 2034 [6]. Some of the fastest-growing climate change jobs involve installing and repairing devices, like solar panels and wind turbines. 

Top skills for climate change professionals

Climate change isn't just an environmental problem but also a cultural, economic, social, political, and scientific one. Therefore, top skills and duties for climate change professionals may include:

• Research and innovation: Improve and research the efficiency of existing energy sources like solar and wind technologies.

• Climate change finance: Apply and distribute funds that support climate-change companies and nonprofit organizations.

• Data analysis: Interpret data that involves temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, wind chill, and heat index.

• Communication skills: Explain complex climate issues in easy-to-understand ways.

Climate change certifications 

Certifications offer climate change professionals a way to get more training and stand out from their peers. Green business certifications are given to firms that have principles, policies, and practices that help improve climate change. Here are a few offered from the Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI): 

• Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA): For new professionals

• Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP): For more advanced professionals

These certifications focus on understanding and communicating sustainability information to various audiences, using systems thinking in developing sustainability solutions and assessing risks, and planning and implementing sustainable practices and procedures.

Other certifications that you might get include:

• Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P) Candidate Pilot Program from the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) for new or transitioning professionals

• Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P) from ACCO for more advanced professionals

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM) from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

• Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP) from AEE

• Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP) from AEE

• Certified Industrial Energy Professional (CIEP) from AEE

Explore our free resources for climate change professionals

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to get weekly updates on trending skills, tools, and certifications. Check out our other free digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: CU Boulder Become a leader in sustainability and the circular economy

• Bookmark for quick access: Data Analysis Terms & Definitions

• Get tips from an expert: Reimagining Work and Learning with AI: Expert Insights from Dr. Jules White

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