Energy Auditors

People in this career conduct detailed energy audits of residential, commercial, or process systems. Their daily activities center on getting information, inspecting equipment, structures, or materials, and evaluating information to determine compliance with standards. They spend significant time working with computers, processing information, and analyzing data to identify where buildings are losing energy. Making decisions and solving problems are key parts of the job, as is documenting and recording information for clients.

Success in this field requires strong conventional interests, meaning a preference for structured, detail-oriented tasks. Auditors must utilize skills like reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and complex problem solving. They also need to communicate clearly with people outside their organization, which requires strong speaking and writing abilities. Important knowledge areas include building and construction, engineering and technology, physics, mathematics, and mechanical systems. Additionally, they must understand customer and personal service, design, and computers and electronics to effectively advise their clients and suggest practical energy-saving improvements.

To enter this field, the typical education required is a high school diploma. However, the career generally requires medium preparation, which often includes vocational training, an associate degree, or related work experience. Students interested in this path frequently choose college majors such as Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection.

While specific credentials vary by employer and location, several professional certifications are available to help candidates establish their expertise. These include the Building Analyst credential from the Building Performance Institute and the Certified Home Energy Rater designation from the Residential Energy Services Network. Other relevant certifications include the Certified Energy Insulation Appraiser from the National Insulation Association, as well as the Commercial Energy Inspector and Commercial Energy Plans Examiner credentials from the International Code Council. Candidates can also pursue the Energy Management Systems certification from C-Tech Associates Inc. to demonstrate their technical proficiency.

The median annual pay for energy auditors is $74,690. The lowest 10% of workers in this field earn less than $47,140, while the highest 10% earn more than $114,200. These wage figures are for the broader Bureau of Labor Statistics group of construction and building inspectors, which includes energy auditors.

There are 146,720 people employed in this broader occupational group. From 2025 to 2035, employment is projected to show 0% change, meaning there will be little or no change in the total number of jobs. Despite this flat growth, about 14,800 openings are projected each year to replace workers who leave the field.