Unlock Your Future in Energy Economics: Thriving Careers Await!
Energy economics faculty jobs are surging amid the global energy transition, where experts analyze renewable shifts, fossil fuel markets, and climate policies. This interdisciplinary field combines economic theory with real-world challenges like the 2023 IEA forecast of renewables comprising 50% of electricity by 2030. Students can pursue bachelor's in economics followed by specialized master's or PhDs in energy policy, opening doors to academia and think tanks. Aspiring professors find tenure-track roles at top universities, with salaries averaging $115,000 for assistant professors per 2023 AAUP data. Explore higher ed jobs on AcademicJobs.com, rate energy economics professors on Rate My Professor, and check earnings trends at professor salaries. From Texas oil booms to California's solar incentives, opportunities abound. Dive into faculty jobs, professor jobs, and career advice to advance your path in this high-impact discipline.
Why Study and Teach Energy Economics?
Energy economics drives solutions to pressing issues like volatile oil prices and net-zero goals. Nobel laureate William Nordhaus pioneered climate-integrated models in 2018, influencing energy policy worldwide. Fringe quirk: Hotelling's Rule predicts rising non-renewable prices, upended by the U.S. shale revolution since 2008, creating unexpected academic demand for resource economists. Rate standout energy economics professors shaping these debates on Rate My Professor. Programs emphasize econometrics, sustainability, and policy, preparing graduates for roles advising the World Bank or DOE.
Student Career Paths in Energy Economics
Essential Degrees and Training
- Bachelor's in Economics or Environmental Science with energy electives.
- Master's in Energy Economics (e.g., UT Austin or NHH Norway).
- PhD for faculty tracks, focusing on renewables or energy markets.
Students, build resumes with free resume templates and seek research assistant jobs. Parents, note strong ROI: energy econ grads earn 20% above general economists per 2023 BLS data. Get higher ed career advice and rate courses on Rate My Course.
Browse Student OpportunitiesFaculty Job Opportunities and Salaries
Tenure-track energy economics positions thrive at research universities, with 15% growth projected through 2032 per BLS. Faculty influence policy, like modeling EU carbon taxes. Quirky locale: Norway's professors study sovereign wealth funds from oil revenues, blending econ with public finance. In the U.S., Texas offers premium pay due to Permian Basin activity; California focuses on green tech.
Expected earnings vary by rank and location:
| Academic Rank | Average U.S. Salary (2023) | High-Paying Locale Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $110,000 - $130,000 | Texas ($145,000) |
| Associate Professor | $130,000 - $160,000 | California ($170,000) |
| Full Professor | $160,000 - $220,000+ | Norway equiv. ($180,000 USD) |
Details at professor salaries and university salaries. Rate energy economics department heads on Rate My Professor.
Apply to Professor JobsTop Programs and Prestige
Stanford University: Leads in energy innovation econ, alumni advise UN climate panels.
UC Berkeley: Focuses on renewables; quirky: early shale impact studies.
UT Austin: Energy epicenter, high placement in industry-academia hybrids.
Oxford University: Policy-heavy; check UK jobs.
View university rankings and Ivy League options like Ivy League environmental econ tracks.
Associations for Energy Economics
International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE)
A global organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge, understanding, and application of economics in energy-related fields.
United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE)
A professional association that provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and issues among energy economics professionals in the United States.
British Institute of Energy Economics (BIEE)
An organization focused on promoting the study and understanding of energy economics and policy in the United Kingdom.
European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE)
A European association dedicated to advancing research and policy in environmental and resource economics, including energy economics.
Latin American Association for Energy Economics (ALADEE)
An association that fosters the development of energy economics research and policy in Latin America.
Australian Institute of Energy (AIE)
A professional body that supports energy professionals, including those in energy economics, through networking and knowledge sharing in Australia.

