Becoming a green-collar worker

It pays to be green: graduate starting salaries in the environment sector can be as high as £28,000 thanks to an influx of new-look jobs.

Environmental careers no longer have to be a labour of love. Green-collar jobs belong to the booming area of energy efficiency and the term labels the roles that pay a substantial salary. Competition for these new-look jobs is fierce as they are open to graduates from a variety of degree disciplines.

Green-collar facts and figures

80,000 green-collar jobs are predicted across Europe by 2030, with 16,000 of these at UK off-shore wind farms by 2010. If you are an undergraduate in any of the design or engineering subjects, you may want to jump on the band wagon.

Green-collar graduate careers in detail

This is a lucrative path to pursue if you have the skills to design, manufacture, install, operate, or maintain renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Graduate engineering salaries are in line with other engineering specialisms at around £23,000-£28,000. As a principal engineer 5-10 years up the career ladder you could earn in excess of £40,000.

Traditional environmental careers are still more for love than for money

The traditional environmental employers (such as wildlife and nature trusts) continue to be demanding of new recruits. This is a popular entry-level choice amongst geography and ecology graduates. It is common for a research role requiring a PhD in environmental science, biology, or ecology to pay just £25,000. A role that demands a specific skill (such as familiarity with mapping programmes) will shell out about £14,000. Gain solid voluntary experience at uni and you will have a degree and experience for a higher salary upon graduation.

Progression in traditional environmental careers

Career progression in traditional roles remains slow yet steady. You can expect to start on £15,000 as an assistant officer at a trust, go up a rung to officer level and earn around £23,000, and bring in £30,000 as a manager.
Graduate careers in the charity sector
A career as a graduate researcher

Green-collar versus traditional environmental roles

For a well-paid traditional role, you’ll need to live on a student budget to afford postgraduate study before starting out. If you want to fast-track your pay packet, apply for a green-collar role. Design, engineering, and science degrees are desirable for these roles, but specialist degrees such as hydrology and hazard management are also considered.
Graduate careers in civil engineering
Graduate careers in design

Career options in the environment sector

Environmental Consultancy
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Law
Waste Management
Corporate social responsibility
Open Spaces
Sustainable Food and Retail
Green Transport and Eco-Tourism
Environmental Education and Training

You may also be introduced in a graduate job in these areas

Graduate careers in the charity sector
Graduate careers in civil engineering
Graduate careers in design
A career as a graduate researcher
Graduate careers in general management

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