Energy & Natural Resources
The Energy & Natural Resources Career Cluster spans careers in traditional and renewable fuel production, power generation and energy conversion, utilities, environmental preservation, ecological research, and resource extraction.
What this cluster covers
- Definition
- The Energy & Natural Resources Career Cluster spans careers in traditional and renewable fuel production, power generation and energy conversion, utilities, environmental preservation, ecological research, and resource extraction. These industries focus on efficient and responsible resource management, including conservation, transmission, distribution and storage, to minimize environmental impacts and meet global energy needs. Careers in this Cluster are dedicated to creating a sustainable future, innovating cleaner energy solutions, and preserving our planet's natural resources for generations to come.
Advance CTE
Energy & Natural Resources Career ClusterAdvance CTE- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Careers in this cluster
Entry education, license and BLS pay and outlook for every career page in this cluster. Each career page shows what the job is and links its step-by-step roadmap.
| Career | Typical entry | License | Median pay, May 2025 | Outlook 2025–35 | Career page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical power-line installer and repairer Utilities |
High school diploma or equivalent | Usually a CDL to drive heavy vehicles; other rules vary by state. | $95,320 | +10% BLSElectrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Electrical power-line installer and repairer |
| Solar photovoltaic installer Clean & Alternative Energy |
High school diploma or equivalent | Some states require a license for PV installers. | $53,140 | +37% BLSSolar Photovoltaic Installers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Solar photovoltaic installer |
| Wind turbine service technician Clean & Alternative Energy |
Postsecondary nondegree award | No license named; safety certifications are common. | $64,120 | +30% BLSWind Turbine Technicians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Wind turbine service technician |
| Power plant operator Clean & Alternative Energy |
High school diploma or equivalent | NRC license for nuclear reactor operators; some states license stationary engineers or boiler operators. | $105,080 with distributors and dispatchers |
−4% BLSPower Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Power plant operator |
| Environmental Scientist Ecological Research & Development |
Bachelor's degree | None | $82,220 Environmental scientists and specialists, including health |
+6% BLSEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Environmental Scientist |
| Geoscientist (Geologist) Resource Extraction |
Bachelor's degree | Most states (30 + Puerto Rico) | $101,920 Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers |
+5% BLSGeoscientists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Geoscientist (Geologist) |
| Petroleum Engineer Resource Extraction |
Bachelor's degree | Optional (PE) | $144,910 Petroleum engineers |
+2% BLSPetroleum Engineers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Petroleum Engineer |
| Forester & Conservation Scientist Conservation & Land Management |
Bachelor's degree | Some states | $73,920 Conservation scientists and foresters |
+4% BLSConservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Forester & Conservation Scientist |
Pay is the BLS median for the occupation named under it, for May 2025; half of workers earned more, half less. For comparison, BLS projects all U.S. jobs to grow 3.5% over 2025–35. The career's sub-cluster comes from Advance CTE's SOC crosswalk.
Also in this cluster
Advance CTE places some occupations in more than one cluster. These careers have their page under another cluster, and the crosswalk puts them here too.
- Top Executive & Operations Manager Leadership & Operations
- Administrative Services & Facilities Manager Leadership & Operations
- Police Officer & Detective Public Safety
- Firefighter Emergency Response
- Electrical Engineering Engineering
- Industrial machinery mechanic Industrial Machinery
- Agricultural & Food Scientist Food Science & Processing
Sub-clusters and example programs
Major groupings of career areas within a given field that have similar skills as defined by industry area. The programs are Advance CTE's examples of school and college programs of study; what is offered varies by state.
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Clean & Alternative Energy
Careers focused on energy generation and infrastructure development from clean energy sources such as low carbon fuels, natural gas, nuclear, biofuels, hydrogen processes, and other alternative sources aimed at addressing climate change impacts.
Example programs Renewable Energy · Electric Vehicle Installation & Maintenance · Solar System Design & Installation · Wind Turbine Installation & Maintenance
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Conservation & Land Management
Careers rooted in environmental and natural sciences, focusing on protecting and managing natural resources and landscapes.
Example programs GIS Mapping · Natural Resource Conservation · Wildlife Management
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Ecological Research & Development
Careers emphasizing the scientific study of and research in ecological, geological, electrical, chemical, nuclear, biological, environmental engineering, and other sciences as they relate to energy production, sustainability, and the management of natural resources.
Example programs Environmental Engineering · Environmental Management · Environmental Science & Sustainability
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Environmental Protection
Careers centered on regulating and managing the impacts of both natural processes and human activities, such as resource production and consumption.
Example programs Climate Resilience · Sustainable Communities
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Resource Extraction
Careers focused on the efficient extraction of natural materials including fossil fuels, minerals, natural gas, and geothermal resources that are essential for fuel production in energy and manufacturing.
Example programs Clean Energy System Design · Energy Transfer · Mining Technology
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Utilities
Careers involving the transmission and maintenance of utility systems for clean and alternative energy, electricity, water, waste remediation, and telecom/broadband; distribution and infrastructure development; and storage.
Example programs Telecommunications · Water & Wastewater Systems · Plant Operations · Underground or Overhead Linework · Utility Maintenance and Repair
Closely connected clusters
Advance CTE, from national labor market data: this cluster is most closely connected to these clusters. Advance CTE
View source
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Public Service & Safety
- Supply Chain & Transportation
Every cluster with its sub-clusters, and which hubs are open.