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The energy trades will play a crucial role in
making sure that the energy infrastructure
and economy are able to meet these new
needs. Of course, renewable energy will also
be a vital part of this process, especially
as fossil fuel reserves continue to dwindle
and as fears of climate change and other
environmental damage due to fossil fuel
consumption drive more support for green
initiatives.
Collectively, these factors promise a lively—if perhaps unpredict-
able—future arc for the energy industry and the tradespeople who
work therein. Continue reading below for a rundown of several major
energy trades jobs and the work they do.
Electrical line workers
The job: Electrical line workers are responsible for installing or
repairing electrical power lines, phone lines, fiber optic lines, and
more. The job typically involves working at heights and with high-
voltage electricity—potential safety hazards that make the work
physically demanding, high stakes, and extremely specialized.
The pay: Line workers are compensated for the unique challenges
of their work, with the median salary for jobs in the U.S. landing at
just over $85,420 per year.
The prospects: The BLS is projecting that the line worker profession
will grow by about three percent—3,500 new jobs—between 2022
and 2032.
The education: The risks and challenges of being an electrical
line worker mean that significant training is typically required for
these jobs. Some professionals in the field go the trade school