Since 2021, New Jersey’s green workforce has increased by 12%, or 6,000 jobs, with over 100 new clean energy projects built. By 2035, New Jersey’s green workforce is expected to grow by over 14,000 net jobs. As the State continues expanding clean energy resources and navigates a dramatically changed federal policy environment, the report assesses the State’s green economy workforce and explores what the future may look like for New Jersey workers.
The report identifies 12 priority occupations necessary to meet New Jersey’s green economy goals, all of which have higher wages than the national average. Electricians are projected to see the largest growth in new jobs, followed by Plumbers, HVAC Mechanics and Installers and Solar Installers.
“As the growth of our green economy adds thousands of family-sustaining jobs in New Jersey, this report will help guide our continued commitment to meeting the demand for workforce development and coordination across our educational institutions, unions, and training providers,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
Training providers and programs exist for all top green occupations in New Jersey, specifically those that require more specialized skill sets. Most priority occupations are also accessible, with 10 out of 12 only requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. The report finds stronger coordination and connections to be beneficial between employers in green industries and the many entities in the New Jersey workforce ecosystem, such as educators, unions, training providers, and community groups.
State agencies have more of a leadership role in this capacity than is seen in other states, particularly the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA). According to the report, New Jersey has the opportunity improve access to training opportunities in southern parts of the State. Appendices in the Green Jobs Report provide a comprehensive list of training opportunities, wrapround services, and an inventory of related policies and programs in New Jersey.
“Cultivating a skilled workforce has long been a cornerstone of New Jersey's vision for sustainability, and the Department of Labor is proud of our ongoing success in developing clear pathways to employment in this area through strategic investments in education, training, and apprenticeship programs,” said Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Co-Chair on the New Jersey Council on the Green Economy. “Our goal is to continue ensuring every New Jerseyan has the opportunity to thrive in this emerging industry, transforming not just careers but entire communities as we transition to a more environmentally responsible future.”
EDA’s Apprenticeship Training Centers Construction Grant Program makes $9.7 million available to support the development of training centers for Registered Apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades, with a particular focus on overburdened communities. The program is accepting applications until Monday, September 29th.
“The NJEDA’s Apprenticeship Training Centers Construction Grant Program will help expand workforce development programs across the state, particularly in Overburdened Communities, helping prepare residents for good-paying careers in the building and construction trades,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has continued to invest in innovative apprenticeship programs aimed to promote equitable economic opportunities and strengthen communities.”
In addition, in April 2025, EDA announced over $4.3 million awarded in four Green Workforce Training Grants, which will develop training programs to prepare New Jersey residents for green economy careers.
Many stakeholders highlighted the groundbreaking work implemented in New Jersey’s public schools to reach kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) student populations with a curriculum focused on sustainability, as well as an expansion of summer and pre-college programs and workshops focused on clean energy.
“In New Jersey, we have made empowering our children to lead the jobs of the future green economy our priority. Through our first-in-the-nation K-12 climate change education standards, we are preparing students for exciting, new opportunities in the State’s growing green workforce," said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Equipping our students with the tools necessary to build a stronger and cleaner New Jersey is one of the most powerful and important things we can do for the future.”
This summer marked the fifth year of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s highly successful Youth Inclusion Initiative, an innovative summer workforce development program. Partnerships between DEP and community-based organizations provide young people, particularly from communities with limited access to natural lands, with opportunities to learn about a wide variety of environmental careers. From 2021 to 2025, NJDEP invested nearly $2.5 million, hosting around 275 youth from across New Jersey.
“Cultivating the next generation of New Jersey’s environmental stewards is a gift that not only protects our lands and natural resources for others but grows and sustains a robust green economy benefiting our state and nation,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “We are proud of the Youth Inclusion Initiative’s success in providing young people from diverse communities with invaluable exposure to environmental careers.”
Our Higher Education institutions also play an important role. For ten years, Montclair State University’s PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies annual Green Teams program has empowered students to create real-world sustainability solutions in communities across New Jersey and beyond. This year’s cohort reflects the program’s growing impact, with 50 interns from 16 states.
Workforce considerations in New Jersey’s green economy include green infrastructure technologies such as water, waste, and wastewater treatment and management, as well as stormwater and resiliency infrastructure. Clean energy technologies include grid infrastructure and storage, renewable energy generation and fuels, energy efficiency and alternative vehicles.
“New Jersey's clean energy transition is powering more than just our grid – it’s powering thousands of career opportunities. As we accelerate our transformation through grid modernization, renewable energy deployment, and energy efficiency programs, we’re not just building a cleaner future, we're building high-wage careers that will sustain New Jersey families for generations,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “The NJBPU is committed to ensuring our clean energy investments translate into real opportunities for New Jersey workers at every skill level.”
Modeling for the report calculated the employment impacts associated with in-state capital and operational expenditures on clean electricity and fuel resources, building efficiency and electrification measures, alternative transportation adoption, and green infrastructure development.
As DEP, EDA, and BPU work to release the 2026-2028 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Strategic Funding Plan, the Scoping Document provides an optimistic outlook for the green workforce in New Jersey, noting that “with a continued commitment to addressing climate change and expanding clean energy, New Jersey will add tens of thousands of jobs to its green economy.”
To drive this growth, EDA has proposed dedicating a portion of 26-28 RGGI Auction proceeds for incentives and other funding investments in clean energy supply chain related manufacturing development; clean energy technology development, innovation hubs, and accelerators; and complementary workforce development, training, and education.
Public stakeholder meetings were held in August and September on the 2026-2028 RGGI Strategic Funding Plan, which will be published in Fall of 2025.
The New Jersey 2025 Green Jobs Report was developed through State agency collaboration by the Economic Development Authority, the Board of Public Utilities, the Department of Labor, the Governor’s Office, and BW Research Partnership (BW). In addition to extensive research, BW conducted executive interviews with over three dozen stakeholders involved in New Jersey’s workforce and energy ecosystem to uncover existing challenges, needs, and opportunities in the state’s green industries.
From 2022 to 2024, funding and programming for workforce development expanded dramatically at both state and federal levels. The Biden White House reported funding 130 projects in New Jersey through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
