By
Leanna Seah
April 1, 2024
Updated
June 24, 2024
As the energy industry continues to adapt to technological advances and shifts towards sustainable practices, understanding the financial rewards of various positions is crucial for energy professionals navigating their careers.
This comprehensive analysis reveals the highest paying energy jobs globally and also explores sector trends, salary dynamics, and the skills that command top dollar in this competitive field.
Using the latest data from our 2024 GETI Report, this article offers valuable insights into the best paying jobs in energy for current professionals and those aspiring to enter the sector.
Here is a list of sections covered in this article:- Best paying jobs across the energy industry
- Best paying jobs renewable energy
- Best paying jobs in oil and gas
- Best paying jobs in petrochemicals
- Best paying jobs in power
- Best paying jobs in nuclear
- How much have energy salaries changed over the years
- Key takeaways on energy salaries in GETI 2024
- Download the 2024 GETI report
Best paying jobs in energy
From drilling supervisors in Asia to business development managers in Australasia and the surging demand for expertise in renewables, the energy sector shines with opportunities.
Here are some of its brightest stars.
Top 10 highest-paying energy jobs (Contactors)
| Position | Region | Sector | Day Rate (USD) |
| Drilling Supervisor | Australasia | Oil and gas | $2,302 |
| Drilling engineer | Australasia | Oil and gas | $1,379 |
| HSE manager | Australasia | Oil and gas | $1,348 |
| Reservoir engineer | Australasia | Oil and gas | $1,330 |
| Process operations production manager | Africa | Petrochemicals | $1,295 |
| Geophysicist | Africa | Oil and gas | $1,240 |
| QA/QC manager | Europe | Petrochemicals | $1,131 |
| Construction manager | Africa | Petrochemicals | $1,102 |
| Health & safety manager | Africa | Petrochemicals | $1,061 |
| Process engineer | North America | Nuclear | $1,044 |
Top 10 highest-paying energy jobs (Permanent workers)
| Position | Region | Sector | Annual Salary (USD) |
| Drilling supervisor | Asia | Oil and gas | $329,508 |
| Business development manager | Australasia | Power | $227,988 |
| Drilling engineer | Asia | Oil and gas | $224,359 |
| HSE manager | Australasia | Oil and gas | $199,049 |
| Wind farm project manager | Australasia | Renewables | $194,978 |
| Civil engineer | Australasia | Oil and gas | $189,619 |
| Project manager | Australasia | Oil and gas | $189,482 |
| Construction manager | Australasia | Power | $188,226 |
| Commercial manager | Australasia | Power | $185,169 |
| Electrical engineer | North America | Petrochemicals | $180,000 |
Best paying jobs in renewable energy
A growing green skills gap has increased competition for talent, which is reflected in rising salaries. Pay is also rising to keep pace with high inflation and interest rates.
Janette Marx, CEO - Airswift
In this year's GETI survey, 51% of professionals noted a pay rise, improving from 47% the previous year, with 24% experiencing a salary increase of 5% or more, up from 20%. Specifically, 54% of engineers saw their pay go up, while 62% of hiring managers acknowledged salary increases within their teams, including 34% noting rises above 5%, indicating a steady 5% growth over two years. Looking ahead, 73% anticipate a salary increase next year, a slight dip from 74% last year, signalling ongoing optimism about compensation trends.
Top five highest paying jobs in renewables (contractors)
- Business development manager in North America: $1,041 per day
- Project manager in the Middle East: $802 per day
- Construction manager in Europe: $767
- Civil/Structural engineer in North America: $763 per day
- Design engineer in North America: $755 per day
Top five highest paying jobs in renewables (permanent workers)
- Wind farm project manager in Australasia: $ 194,978 annually
- QA/QC manager in Australasia: $178,885 annually
- Construction manager in Australasia $176,106 annually
- Project manager in Australasia: $164,492 annually
- HSE manager in Australasia: $160, 739 annually
Best paying jobs in oil and gas
Salary growth is less steep as oil and gas prices fall from last year’s record highs but pay everywhere is still rising in line with inflation. Previously large swings in salary are being replaced by stable growth based on a solid foundation of long-term projects.
Janette Marx, CEO - Airswift
Falling fossil fuel prices have moderated salary growth, with only 48% of professionals seeing a pay rise this year, a decrease from last year's more significant increase. Despite this, 62% of hiring managers noted salary increases, up from 54% in 2023. Optimism about future pay remains high, with 69% of professionals and 72% of hiring managers expecting rises, reflecting a positive outlook despite the current slowdown.
Top five highest paying jobs in oil and gas (contractors)
- Drilling supervisor in Australasia: $2,302 per day
- Drilling engineer in Australasia: $1,379 per day
- HSE manager in Australasia: $1,348 per day
- Reservoir engineer in Australasia: $1,330 per day
- Geophysicist in Africa: $1,240 per day
Top five highest paying jobs in oil and gas (permanent workers)
- Drilling supervisor in Asia: $329,508 annually
- Drilling engineer in Asia: $224,359 annually
- HSE manager in Australasia: $199,049 annually
- Civil engineer in Australasia: $189,619 annually
- Project manager in Australasia: $189,482 annually
Best paying jobs in petrochemicals
People report high openness to moving not just within the sector, but also beyond it. Yet, they’re also relatively happy with how salaries are going, so retention isn’t as simple as offering more money. Above all, professionals in the petrochemical space need to see a viable and attractive path for progression.
Janette Marx, CEO - Airswift
In the petrochemical sector, 60% of professionals reported a salary increase, improving from 50% the previous year and 55% before COVID-19. Pay increases were observed by 69% of hiring managers, an increase from 65% last year, with 45% noting raises above 5%, up from 35%. Looking ahead, a significant 80% of hiring managers and 75% of professionals anticipate salary rises next year.
Top five highest paying jobs in petrochemicals (contractors)
- Process operations production manager in Africa: $1,295 per day
- QA/QC manager in Europe: $1,131 per day
- Construction manager in Africa: $1,102 per day
- Health and safety manager in Africa: $1,061 per day
- Environmental manager in Africa: $955 per day
Top five highest paying jobs in petrochemicals (permanent workers)
- Electrical engineer in North America, $180,000 annually
- Environmental manager in North America, $169,142 annually
- Construction manager in North America, $145,000 annually
- Finance manager in North America, $135, 912 annually
- Chemical engineer IN North America, $130,000 annually
Best paying jobs in power
In the power sector, 54% of professionals reported an income increase, marking an improvement from 50% last year and 48% in 2020. Additionally, 67% of hiring managers noted increased pay, up from 59% the previous year. Looking forward, 77% of professionals and 76% of hiring managers expect income increases in the coming year.A picture of fragile stability. Salary growth is good but not spectacular, and though career progression remains a top concern, professionals seem less convinced they need to make a move than last year to continue their career trajectory
Wenche Kjølås, Independent Director
Top five highest paying jobs in power (contractors)
- Project manager in Asia: $969 per day
- Quantity surveyor in North America: $911 per day
- HSE manager in North America: $905 per day
- Commercial manager in North America: $806 per day
- Commissioning engineer in Australasia: $757 per day
Top five highest paying jobs in power (permanent workers)
- Business development manager in Australasia: $227,988 annually
- Construction manager in Australasia: $188, 226 annually
- Commercial manager in Australasia: $185,169 annually
- HSE manager in Australasia: $167,523 annually
- Project engineer in Australasia: $152,437 annually
Best paying jobs in nuclear
This year, 42% of respondents reported an income increase, a decrease from 47% last year. In contrast, 74% of hiring managers noted income increases within their sector, with 35% reporting increases of over 5%. Expectations for next year are mixed, with 51% of workers and 78% of hiring managers anticipating raises. This outlook is tempered by last year’s experience, where despite 73% of workers expecting a raise, only 42% received one, leading to a dampened optimism.Nuclear professionals seem more settled in their roles than many of their peers across the wider energy sector, despite lower reported pay increases.
Janette Marx, CEO - Airswift
Top five highest paying jobs in nuclear (contractors)
- Process engineer in North America: $1,044 per day
- Commissioning manager in North America: $1,038 per day
- Electrical engineer in North America: $960 per day
- Environmental engineer in North America: $957 per day
- HSE manager in North America: $955 per day
Top five highest paying jobs in nuclear (permanent workers)
- Commissioning manager in North America: $159,374 per day
- HSE manager in North America: $132,822 per day
- Process engineer in North America: $128,158 per day
- Maintenance engineer in North America: $127,919 per day
- Commercial manager in North America, $126,115 per day
How much have energy salaries changed over the years?
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Employees in Australasia have seen a significant rise in average salary and day rates, indicating a sector possibly driven by healthy project developments or investments.
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North American workers enjoy some of the highest salaries and day rates, suggesting that the region continues to be a leader in the energy sector, potentially offering lucrative career opportunities.
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The salary curves for Europe, Africa, and Asia show less dramatic changes than Australasia and North America, pointing towards a more stable but possibly mature or saturated market with consistent demand for energy professionals.
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The nearly flat lines for Latin America indicate stagnant salaries and day rates, which could reflect slower industry growth, less investment, or economic challenges impacting the energy sector in the region.
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A general trend of increasing day rates across several regions, particularly North America and Australasia, hints at increasing demand for temporary or contract-based roles, which may offer higher short-term earnings but less job security than permanent ones.
Five key takeaways on energy salaries from GETI
1. Renewables is leading salary growth
The renewable energy sector is experiencing significant salary growth, driven by a high demand for talent and a growing skills gap. This trend reflects the industry's shift towards sustainable energy sources and the increasing value placed on green skills. The sector’s competitive pay, particularly for roles like wind farm project managers, underscores the lucrative opportunities within green energy.
2. There is stability to be found in traditional energy roles
Despite fluctuations in fossil fuel prices, traditional energy sectors like oil and gas and petrochemicals are witnessing stable salary growth. This stability is attributed to long-term projects and a solid industry foundation, suggesting that despite the transition to renewables, there remains a robust demand for skilled professionals in conventional energy roles.
3. Salary outlook across sectors is positive
Across all energy sectors, there's notable optimism regarding future pay increases. This sentiment is particularly strong among hiring managers, indicating a positive outlook for salary trends despite current economic challenges and sector-specific dynamics. This optimism reflects confidence in the energy industry's growth and its need for skilled workers.
4. Engineering skills and leadership roles in high-demand
The data highlights specific roles and skills commanding top salaries, ranging from drilling supervisors and engineers in oil and gas to project and commercial managers in renewables and power sectors. This variety not only highlights the vast array of lucrative opportunities but also points to the significant transferability of skills across different energy sectors.
Leadership qualities, engineering expertise, project management capabilities, and strategic planning skills are universally valued, offering professionals the flexibility to transition between traditional energy roles and emerging renewable energy positions.
5. Geographical variations in pay
The report emphasises the significant geographical variations in salary levels across the energy sector. Asia and Australasia, for example, are regions where some of the highest-paying roles are located, indicating the global nature of the energy job market and the potential for professionals willing to relocate for career advancement.
Download the full GETI 2024 report
Would you like to learn more about the best paying jobs in energy and employment trends expected to shape the sector in 2024? Get all the latest insights across the energy industry in the 2024 GETI report.
