Clean energy is booming, and salaries are following suit.

In 2025 almost half of renewables professionals secured a pay rise, and 73% expect another within a year.

This guide sets out entry, median, and experienced pay for the most in-demand roles in Solar, Wind, BESS, and AD/Biogas across the UK and Ireland, mainland Europe, and North America, plus typical freelance rates.

We also unpack the forces behind these trends and share practical tips for employers and candidates.

Get stuck into our Renewable Energy Salary Guide 2025 now!

Why Salary Data Matters More Than Ever in 2025

Renewables employment is surging, with the workforce up 3.8% last year and demand outpacing supply.

Oil and gas firms are moving into green markets, bringing top-tier pay and narrowing the historic 15% gap.

61% of employers have raised salaries every year since 2023, so up-to-date benchmarks are essential.

Employers rely on them to set competitive offers, and candidates use them to target the highest-paying markets or decide between staff and contract roles.

In short, accurate salary data is now a strategic tool for both hiring and career moves. Next, we reveal what the market is paying sector by sector.

Solar Sector Salary Benchmarks (2025)

Solar energy growth continues at record pace, from rooftop installations to utility-scale solar farms.

That’s driving high demand for both technical and commercial talent.

Below are the 4 most in-demand solar roles and their salary benchmarks:

Salaries for Solar Project Managers

UK & Ireland (£45k lower quartile, £55k median, £65k upper; average £55k, experienced PMs in London or major projects above £60k)
Mainland Europe (€40k, €50k, €65k)
North America ($70k, $100k, $120k; median about $95k)
Freelance rates – US about $650 per day (≈£500), Europe about $750 per day (€700)

Salaries for Solar PV Design Engineers

UK & Ireland (£30k, £40k, £50k; mid-career about £40k)
Mainland Europe (€35k, €45k, €60k)
North America ($60k, $80k, $100k; median $80k to $90k)
Freelance – Europe roughly $525 per day, North America about $640 per day

Salaries for Solar Business Development Managers

UK & Ireland (£50k, £70k, £85k)
Mainland Europe (€60k, €80k, €100k)
North America ($80k, $120k, $150k plus; average $152.8k, top 25% well into six figures)
Freelance – interim BD consultants in the US often exceed $1,000 per day

Salaries for Solar Installation and O&M Technicians

UK & Ireland (£25k, £35k, £45k)
Mainland Europe (€30k, €40k, €55k)
North America ($40k, $60k, $75k; median mid-$50k, top quartile $75k)
Freelance – contractors typically $300 to $400 per day in both regions

Solar salary trends

Salaries are rising everywhere, with US solar roles about 40% higher than European equivalents, driven by Inflation Reduction Act investment.

The UK and Ireland sit mid-pack, Germany and the Netherlands lead Europe, while Southern and Eastern Europe still lag.

Contract work commands a premium, especially in North America where day rates can out-earn permanent pay on an annualised basis.

Employer tip – benchmark roles early and adjust pay or perks rather than risk losing talent.

Candidate tip – compare markets: a PV engineer might earn roughly 20% more in Germany than Spain or Ireland, and potentially double by moving to the US, so be ready to negotiate or relocate.

Wind Sector Salary Benchmarks (2025)

Wind energy (onshore and offshore) continues to expand, bringing a surge in demand for both field technicians and project leaders. Safety and development roles also remain critical.

Here are 4 top in-demand wind roles and their pay snapshots:

Salaries for Wind Farm Project Managers (onshore or offshore)

UK and Ireland (£50k lower quartile, £65k median, £75k upper, senior offshore PMs often £70k plus)
Mainland Europe (€45k, €60k, €80k, offshore roles in Northern Europe can reach €90k)
North America ($60k, $80k, $100k, US median about $79k and upper quartile in low six figures)
Freelance Europe about $800 per day, North America $650 to $700

Salaries for Wind Turbine Technicians (O&M)

UK and Ireland (£30k, £36k, £45k, most technicians earn £30k to £42k and rise to about £45k when seasoned)
Mainland Europe (€35k, €45k, €60k, offshore North Sea roles can exceed €60k)
North America ($53k, $62k, $75k, median wage roughly $61k to $62k)
Freelance Day rates about $300 to $400 in both Europe and North America, UK equivalent roughly £250 to £350

Salaries for HSE Managers (wind projects)

UK and Ireland (£40k, £55k, £65k)
Mainland Europe (€50k, €70k, €85k)
North America ($80k, $90k, $110k, average around $84k)
Freelance North America can top $800 per day, Europe $580 to $600

Salaries for Wind Development or Land and Permitting Managers

UK and Ireland (£45k, £60k, £75k, many earn £50k to £70k)
Mainland Europe (€55k, €70k, €90k)
North America ($70k, $95k, $130k, six-figure upper ranges are common)
Freelance Specialist consultants in Europe often charge €500 plus per day

Wind job salary trends

Regional gaps are stark.

An offshore wind PM in Australia or New Zealand can exceed $200k, while Europe pays about $60k to $80k.

North American pay is climbing fast as new offshore projects launch and firms import European contractors at premium rates.

Permanent salaries in Europe sit roughly 30-40% below the North American upper end. The UK remains a hotspot thanks to its huge offshore pipeline.

Oil and gas cross-overs also inflate pay, especially for HSE and project managers in the North Sea.

Employer tip Benchmark each role early, budget for competitive wages plus retention bonuses and never cut corners on safety-critical offshore skills.

Candidate tip Highlight specialist credentials such as GWO tickets, rope access or offshore project experience, and consider contract work overseas for higher day rates and broader exposure.

BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Salary Benchmarks (2025)

The BESS sector is exploding with growth as batteries become essential alongside solar and wind farms.

Talent with both electrical engineering and project skills are in hot demand.

Here are 4 key BESS roles and their pay benchmarks:

Salaries for Battery Storage Engineers

UK & Ireland (£45k lower quartile, £55k median, £70k upper; mid-career high £40k to low £50k, senior £65k to £70k)
Mainland Europe (€50k, €65k, €80k)
North America ($75k, $95k, $120k; median about $90k, some roles $99k to $144k)
Freelance – Europe about $580 per day (≈€550), North America $650 to $700

Salaries for BESS Project Managers

UK & Ireland (£50k, £65k, £80k)
Mainland Europe (€60k, €75k, €90k)
North America ($80k, $100k, $130k; upper quartile above $120k)
Freelance – North America $700+ per day, Europe about €600

Salaries for Commissioning Engineers

UK & Ireland (£40k, £55k, £65k)
Mainland Europe (€50k, €60k, €75k)
North America ($70k, $85k, $100k; top end near six figures)
Freelance – North America $800+ per day, Europe about €600

Salaries for BESS Business Development Managers

UK & Ireland (£50k, £65k, £80k)
Mainland Europe (€55k, €70k, €90k)
North America ($80k, $110k, $140k; six-figure norm, consultants around $1,000 per day)

BESS salary trends

Energy storage is a seller’s market, with nearly half of employers raising pay in 2025.

North America leads thanks to vast project pipelines and incentives, while the UK, Germany and the Nordics are closing the gap. Contract work, especially in commissioning and project management, attracts the highest premiums.

Employer tip – build pipelines or upskill current staff and be ready to match market rates.

Candidate tip – leverage transferable skills and consider contract work or relocation to maximise earnings.

Anaerobic Digestion & Biogas Salary Benchmarks (2025)

Anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas might be a smaller niche than solar or wind, but it’s growing steadily, converting agricultural, food, and industrial waste into energy.

These projects range from farm-based digesters to large industrial biogas plants.

The talent mix spans plant operations, engineering, and feedstock management.

Here are 4 in-demand roles in AD/Biogas and their salary benchmarks:

Biogas Plant Manager

UK and Ireland (£65k lower quartile, £94k median, £114k upper; median £94,300)
Mainland Europe (€40k, €60k, €82k; German median €60,600)
North America ($92k, $117k, $151k; median $117k)
Freelance, short term consulting often above $1,000 per day

AD Process or Biogas Engineer

UK and Ireland (£35k, £50k, £65k; typical mid career £45k to £55k)
Mainland Europe (€40k, €55k, €70k)
North America ($60k, $80k, $100k; senior engineers frequently six figures)
Freelance, about $500 to $700 per day for commissioning or troubleshooting

Feedstock Procurement or Quality Manager

UK and Ireland (£30k, £45k, £60k; many roles cluster around £40k to £50k)
Mainland Europe (€35k, €50k, €65k)
North America ($50k, $70k, $90k)
Freelance is rare, but consultants may craft feedstock strategies on short contracts

AD Project Development Manager

UK and Ireland (£45k, £60k, £80k)
Mainland Europe (€50k, €70k, €85k)
North America ($70k, $95k, $120k; close to six figures where renewable gas credits apply)
Freelance, early stage advisers often tie fees to project milestones rather than day rates

Trends

Pay varies sharply by region and plant scale. UK plant managers oversee larger, more complex facilities, hence a £94k median that far exceeds Germany at €61k.

Mainland Europe’s many small farm digesters temper salaries, while North American specialists command high pay in provinces or states with low carbon fuel standards.

Experience now attracts premiums, with 10-15-year veterans moving into upper quartiles and wastewater professionals crossing over for higher rewards.

Employer tip – highlight mission and long term plant life if you cannot top the market on base pay, but keep reviews aligned with inflation and sector growth.

Candidate tip – broaden your skillset. Adding HSE, control systems or commercial expertise can lift you into the next pay band, and transparent employers who publish pay bands usually value progression.

Cross-Sector Insights: Patterns in Renewable Energy Pay

Stepping back, a few big-picture patterns emerge across all renewable sectors:

North America sets the ceiling. Upper-quartile salaries there run about 30-40% above Europe, especially on large capital projects, although Europe can match or edge ahead at some mid-level roles.
Contractors cash in. Typical day rates sit near $670 in North America and $600 in Europe, often double a permanent salary on a per-day basis.
Global transparency keeps pay rising. Professionals track offers across borders, so companies must compete with relocation packages, remote contracts, or matched salaries.
Growth beats inflation. UK renewables staff enjoyed an average 13.2% rise in 2025, and confidence in further increases remains high worldwide.
Specialists earn the biggest premiums. Grid integration engineers, commissioning managers, and development leads sit at the top of the pay curve.

Overall, salaries continue to climb, contractors and niche experts hold the strongest bargaining power, and employers who monitor global benchmarks will secure the best talent.

In short, while each renewable subsector has its nuances, the overall salary trajectory is up, up, up.

Regions are vying for top talent, contract work offers new avenues to earn, and the industry’s growth shows no sign of slowing – all of which means professionals can command better pay and employers must stay agile and informed to compete.

Real-World Story: Pay Transparency Powers a Career Move

Connor’s Dilemma: Connor is a lead wind turbine technician in Ireland with 5 years’ experience.

He loves his job but felt he’d hit a pay ceiling at about €45,000.

When a recruiter reached out about an offshore wind project in the US, he was intrigued – especially because they openly shared the pay range upfront.

The U.S. role offered $75k–$80k (about 40% more than Connor’s current pay) plus a daily offshore allowance. Connor hesitated; he wasn’t sure about relocating and worried about cost of living differences.

To help, the recruiter provided a detailed breakdown: not just salary, but health benefits, typical rent near site, even the extra overtime he could earn.

Meanwhile, Connor approached his current employer with this information.

In an open discussion (a first for him), he learned that within the company some newer hires were already making close to what he made – a result of recent market adjustments that hadn’t been communicated.

Empowered by the external offer and this new internal transparency, Connor negotiated a raise to €55k and a clear path to progress to senior technician (with a target of €60k+ next year).

In the end, he decided to stay in Ireland – the company’s willingness to discuss pay honestly and map out his growth made the difference.

The lesson: Pay transparency, both in the wider market and within a company, enabled Connor to make an informed choice.

By openly acknowledging market salaries, his employer retained a valuable employee, and Connor secured the raise and career development he might have otherwise chased elsewhere.

As Connor puts it, “If I hadn’t known what others pay, I’d probably still be on the same salary. Now I know my worth and so does my boss, thankfully.”

Top 5 Tips for Employers & Candidates in 2025

Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, here are five actionable tips to navigate the renewable energy salary landscape:

Benchmark Constantly: Don’t rely on last year’s numbers. Use up-to-date salary surveys and talk to industry contacts. The market is shifting fast – e.g. what was a top-quartile solar engineer salary in 2023 might be merely average in 2025. Regular benchmarking ensures your offer or expectation is competitive, not outdated.
Embrace Pay Transparency: For employers, be upfront about salary ranges in job postings and discussions. It builds trust and attracts the right candidates. For candidates, don’t be afraid to ask about pay bands and growth opportunities. In an industry as talent-tight as renewables, transparency can be a winning differentiator – companies that hide pay are losing talent to those that don’t.
Consider the Whole Package: Salary is key, but also weigh (and offer) the broader benefits. Renewables employers often sweeten deals with extra vacation, remote work options, bonuses, stock options or even paid training/certifications. As a candidate, look at total compensation and long-term upside (a slightly lower base pay might be worth it if there’s a generous bonus or clear promotion track). As an employer, if budget is a constraint, get creative with benefits to close the gap.
Be Open to Contracting (on both sides): Employers – if critical positions are hard to fill, consider interim contractors or freelancers to bridge the gap. It’s better to pay a premium for a contractor than leave a role empty for months. Candidates – contracting can fast-track your earnings and expose you to diverse projects (just ensure you have a financial plan for gaps between contracts). Many professionals alternate between permanent roles and freelance stints to maximize both stability and income over a career.
Invest in Skills & Training: This is a tip for everyone. The most valuable employees are those who continuously upskill – and the highest paying employers are often those who invest in their teams’ development. If you’re hiring, budget for training programs, certifications, and clear advancement pathways (it helps retention and justifies higher salaries). If you’re job-seeking or aiming for a raise, acquire new skills (e.g. hydrogen, digital twins, EV integration – whatever complements your field). In renewables, staying ahead of the tech curve directly correlates with commanding a top-tier salary.