Renewable Energy Consultant: Salary and Job Description

Renewable energy use has been growing steadily around the world, and energy experts expect that growth to continue. According to forecasts from the International Energy Agency:

• Global renewable electricity generation will increase nearly 90 percent between 2023 and 2030.
• Wind and solar power generation will exceed nuclear power generation in 2026.
• Solar electricity generation will become the largest global renewable power source in 2029.

Working in a sustainability-related role is appealing to many people, and becoming a renewable energy consultant can be a great career choice for anyone who wants to promote the use of renewable sources of energy.

For individuals who have been considering completing a Master of Management in Energy degree program and working in renewable energy, it can be beneficial to learn about the role that renewable energy consultants play and how to enter the field.

What Does a Renewable Energy Consultant Do?

Renewable energy consultants advise clients on how to reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources. They assist organizations in achieving their goals related to sustainability and using clean sources of power, helping them become more environmentally responsible while also lowering their energy costs.

A renewable energy consultant’s day-to-day duties may include:

• Advising a client on how to move toward using sustainable energy sources
• Helping a client develop long-term strategies and policies for using renewable energy
• Translating complex technical documentation regarding renewable energy into information that clients can understand
• Evaluating various renewable energy technologies to help clients select the best technologies for their needs
• Conducting energy efficiency audits to identify how a client can lower their energy consumption
• Educating a client about conserving energy
• Assisting a client in implementing renewable energy projects

Renewable Energy Consultants’ Clients and Work Environments

Clients in many industries benefit from hiring renewable energy consultants. For example, renewable energy consultants advise clients regarding these types of buildings:

• Governmental: Organizations that construct and operate public buildings, facilities, or schools
• Commercial: Companies that operate manufacturing plants, office buildings, or retail establishments
• Residential: Companies that construct housing developments or multifamily residential buildings

Consultants in renewable energy perform their work in a number of environments. While they spend much of their time in traditional office settings, they also often need to be present at physical work sites to evaluate energy consumption, identify opportunities to boost energy efficiency, and inspect and assess the installation of energy-related equipment and technology.

Skills That Benefit Renewable Energy Consultants

In addition to technical expertise, renewable energy consultants need skills in areas such as:

• Communicating (both orally and in writing)
• Making technical presentations in ways that clients can understand
• Analyzing data
• Forming strong relationships with stakeholders in energy projects, as well as with parties such as contractors and suppliers of energy equipment
• Managing projects
• Leading teams to achieve energy-related objectives

Requirements to Become a Renewable Energy Consultant

To become a renewable energy consultant, an individual needs to satisfy the following requirements.

1. Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

Completing an undergraduate degree program in a discipline such as energy engineering, environmental sciences, or sustainability management is important for individuals who aspire to work as consultants in renewable energy. These types of bachelor’s degree programs can help individuals establish a solid foundation of technical knowledge in the field.

2. Gain Experience

People who are new to renewable energy consulting will typically enter the field in a junior consulting role, where they will provide analysis and assistance to more experienced consultants. As they continue to gain experience, they can advance to more senior positions in which they will have the opportunity to manage projects or advise clients independently.

3. Consider Obtaining a Certification

Obtaining a certification is a great way for an individual to demonstrate their expertise and dedication to the profession. For example, renewable energy consultants can strengthen their credentials by obtaining:

• Certified energy manager (CEM) certification from the Association of Energy Engineers
• Renewable energy professional (REP) certification from the Association of Energy Engineers
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Associate certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

4. Consider Earning a Graduate Degree

Earning a graduate degree can enhance an individual’s credentials, advance their expertise, and help them stand out when applying for energy management roles, such as consulting positions. For example, earning a Master of Management in Energy degree can provide individuals with advanced technical knowledge in subjects such as energy markets, analytics, sustainable energy, and energy modeling that can be invaluable when working as a renewable energy consultant.

Renewable Energy Consultant Salary

It can be helpful for people who aspire to work in renewable energy consulting to explore renewable energy consultant salary and employment information.

According to the compensation website Payscale, as of August 2025, renewable energy consultants had a median annual salary of about $86,800. Those in the lowest 25 percent of the salary range had a median salary of about $75,000, while those in the top 25 percent had a median salary of about $120,000. Individual salaries can vary based on factors such as the person’s location, employer, and years of experience.

The employment outlook for clean energy and consulting professionals is looks promising. For example:

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2023, jobs in clean energy grew more than twice as fast as jobs in all other sectors of the economy.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions for management consultants and analysts are expected to increase 11 percent between 2023 and 2033. That growth rate exceeds the BLS’s projection of 4 percent growth in positions across all occupations during the same period.

Become a Renewable Energy Consultant, and Promote the Use of Renewable Energy

Working as a renewable energy consultant offers individuals the opportunity to perform meaningful work that helps organizations move toward achieving sustainability and preserving our environment.

Individuals who are interested in working in an energy-related role such as a renewable energy consulting role can explore the Master of Management in Energy degree program at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business to learn how it can help them achieve their career goals. By equipping students with the expertise they need to fill leadership roles in either traditional or renewable energy, the program can set the stage for career advancement.

Start working to reach your career goals in the energy industry today.

Sources:

• Association of Energy Engineers, Certified Energy Manager — CEM
• Association of Energy Engineers, Certified Renewable Energy Professional — REP
• Clean Globe Staffing, “How to Become a Renewable Energy Consultant”
• Indeed, “How to Become an Energy Consultant”
• International Energy Agency, Renewables
• Mint Selection, “What Does a Renewable Energy Consultant Do?”
• Navigate Power, “7 Must-Know Facts About Working as a Renewable Energy Consultant”
• Payscale, Average Renewable Energy Consultant Salary
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Management Analysts
• U.S. Department of Energy, “DOE Report Shows Clean Energy Jobs Grew at More Than Twice the Rate of Overall U.S. Employment”
• U.S. Green Building Council, LEED Green Associate