“2020 was a tough year for the advanced energy industry, as it was for many others,” said Nat Kreamer, CEO of AEE. “But in all these states and others around the country, advanced energy has established a solid foundation and is ready to help local economies come back stronger than before. Offering annual cost savings for consumers, good jobs for workers, and economic growth for states, advanced energy technologies point the way to prosperity powered by secure, clean, affordable energy.” 

Nationally, advanced energy employment was down 9%, to 3.2 million, at the end of 2020 compared to a year earlier, as reported in AEE’s National Employment Fact Sheet released in April, and similar losses were felt in all 14 states profiled in the fact sheets released today. But all 14 states showed positive job growth in the two years preceding 2020, and employers predicted a strong rebound this year as advanced energy stands ready to lead the post-COVID economic recovery. 

Even in 2020, job growth was recorded nationally in two important advanced energy sectors – wind energy and electric vehicles – and this was reflected in many states as well: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, and Virginia all saw an upturn in both wind and electric vehicle jobs in 2020, while Michigan and Minnesota picked up jobs in wind and Ohio in electric vehicles. 

The 14 Advanced Energy State Employment Fact Sheets report overall advanced energy employment at the end of 2020, broken down by industry segment; comparisons to other well-known industries; the top five counties for advanced energy employment; and a map of advanced energy jobs by county. Data for the fact sheets is derived from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2021 Energy and Employment Report (forthcoming), collected and analyzed by BW Research Partnership, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Highlights of 2020 advanced energy employment in 14 states:

• ARIZONA: 59,800 advanced energy jobs – more than grocery stores, twice as many as agriculture and mining combined; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• CALIFORNIA: 502,900 advanced energy jobs – more than hospitals, three times food manufacturing; 8% job growth predicted for 2021
• COLORADO: 62,900 advanced energy jobs – more than hospitals, three times mining, oil & gas extraction; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• FLORIDA: 153,400 advanced energy jobs – nearly three times the jobs of agriculture, more than real estate; 6% job growth predicted for 2021
• ILLINOIS: 124,200 advanced energy jobs – more than grocery stores or insurance companies; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• INDIANA: 83,300 advanced energy jobs – four times as many jobs as auto manufacturing; 6% job growth predicted for 2021
• MICHIGAN: 123,800 advanced energy jobs – more jobs than motor vehicle parts manufacturing; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• MINNESOTA: 60,000 advanced energy jobs – more jobs than banks, twice as many as agriculture; 8% job growth predicted for 2021
• NEVADA: 31,500 advanced energy jobs – more jobs than real estate, twice as many as mining and oil & gas extraction; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• NEW MEXICO: 11,400 advanced energy jobs – more than building construction, twice as many as telecommunications; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• NORTH CAROLINA: 103,300 advanced energy jobs – twice as many jobs as management consulting, four times as many as agriculture; 8% job growth predicted for 2021
• OHIO: 107,100 advanced energy jobs – more jobs than in schools and colleges, five times auto manufacturing; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• PENNSYLVANIA: 95,400 advanced energy jobs – more than warehouses, four times as many as mining and oil & gas extraction; 7% job growth predicted for 2021
• VIRGINIA: 93,200 advanced energy jobs – more jobs than management consulting, five times as many as telecommunications

“With a workforce of 3.2 million nationally, advanced energy is a pillar of the U.S. economy today,” said Kreamer. “We at AEE stand ready to work with policymakers in these 14 states and others to maximize the benefits of advanced energy for consumer savings and economic development.”

State employment fact sheets for the 14 states are available for download here. Maps of advanced energy employment by county for the 14 states are also available. 

Background Materials

• Advanced Energy 2021 National Employment Fact Sheet and our blog post: "At 3.2 Million Workers, Advanced Energy Jobs Are On the Rebound and Ready to Take Off"
• Advanced Energy State Economic Impact Reports: “Federal Stimulus in Advanced Energy: Here’s What It Would Mean for Eight States” 
• Advanced Energy Now 2021 Market Report: "In 2020, Advanced Energy Revenue Reached $1.4 Trillion Worldwide; U.S. Market Totals $240 Billion"