Report Finds California's Green Jobs Grew By 36% From 1995 To 2008

A new report has found that green jobs in the state of California grew 36 percent between 1995 and 2008, while total jobs in the state grew by only 13 percent. The report, Many Shades of Green: Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs, was just released by Next 10 and Collaborative Economics.

Other highlights from the report:

•Between 1995-2008, green businesses in California increased 45 percent

• Even in rural areas with a smaller economic base, green jobs are growing faster than the overall economy.

• Between 2007-2008, green jobs grew 5 percent while total jobs dropped one percent.

• Manufacturing represents 21 percent of all green jobs, and grew 19 percent, while manufacturing represents only 11 percent of all jobs in California (January 2008.)

• Half of all manufacturing jobs are split between Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation.

• Services accounted for 45 percent of all California green jobs, the largest portion in Environmental Consulting.

• With nearly 43,000 jobs in 2008, Air & Environment is the largest of California’s green segments. While this segment’s jobs remained steady, hovering around 35,000 from 1995-2005, since 2005 the number of green jobs in this segment has increased 24 percent.

• From 1995-2008, Energy Generation employment expanded 61 percent by nearly 10,000 jobs. Solar makes up the largest portion, and strongest growth (63 percent).

• Employment in Energy Efficiency increased 63 percent from 1995-2008.

• Employment in Green Transportation has increased 152 percent since 1995. Green Transportation Jobs are primarily in Motor Vehicles & Equipment and Alternative Fuels, with the latter growing faster at 201 percent, and representing 48 percent of all jobs in this segment.

• Green Logistics is an emerging field, only in the Bay Area at present, with employment growing by 1144 percent since 1995.

Click here to read the full report