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City of Cambridge
Human Service Programs > Office of Workforce Development > Green Jobs
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Green Jobs

The City of Cambridge and the State of Massachusetts have a shared goal of reducing our production of climate-change-causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by the year 2050. As part of these efforts, the Cambridge City Council passed the Green Jobs Ordinance in 2023 to connect Cambridge residents to green jobs and training.

The Green Jobs Sector is Growing! Massachusetts needs over 38,000 green job workers by 2030 to meet climate goals. The green industry is especially looking for more women, people of color, and youth to join the job force.

Make Good Money and a Difference! Most green jobs are well-paying and many do not require a 4-year degree in order to start working. 

Green Jobs Specialist, wearing blue, advises residents

Our Green Jobs Specialist:

  • Meets with Cambridge residents (teens and adults) who are interested in green jobs and advises them on next steps to pursue their career goals.

  • Connects Cambridge teens ages 14 and older to green internships or training programs.

  • Supports Cambridge adults in applying to green jobs.

  • Collaborates with employers and service providers to educate clients about green jobs and support green job recruitment. 

If you are a teen or adult who lives in Cambridge and is interested in learning more about green jobs, reach out to schedule a green jobs consultation!

Second photo credit: Jarvis Chen.

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Green Jobs FAQs

What is a green job?

A green job is any job that protects or repairs the land, water, or air. Green jobs are in offices, outdoors, homes, buildings, laboratories and factories.

You can get a green job in clean energy, fieldwork, blue (ocean) jobs, research, advocacy, education, animal and habitat conservation, manufacturing or assembly across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Why are green jobs important?

The City of Cambridge and the State of Massachusetts have a shared goal of reducing our production of climate change-causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by the year 2050. Green jobs help the city and state reduce our GHG emissions to protect and repair the land, water and air. 

Green jobs:

  • Add good-paying jobs to the economy
  • Provide a tangible pathway to fighting back against climate change
  • Limit greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change
  • Minimize waste and pollution
  • Protect and restore ecosystems
  • Support adaptation to the effects of climate change
  • Improve energy and raw materials efficiency

What are examples of green jobs?

Green jobs are available in many fields and sectors, from construction and building maintenance to waste reduction to parks management, and more!

Outdoor Workers

Animal and habitat conservationist
Arborist
Horticulturalist
Forrester
Park Ranger

Office Jobs / Climate Planning

Chief of Climate / Sustainability*
Communications, Marketing, Publicity in green jobs sector*
Energy Analyst*
Green Urban Planner*
Landscape Architect*

Science, Education, and Engineering

Battery storage engineer*
Biotech or climatech engineer*
Conservation biologist*
Environmental educator*
Green Infrastructure engineer*
Water, air, soil-quality scientist*

Trades Professions

Auto Mechanic
Building Inspector
Carpenter
Construction Worker
Cost Estimator
Electrician
Green Construction Manager
HVAC-R technician
Lineperson
Pipelayer / Pipefitter / Steamfitter
Plumber
Waste Reduction Manager

Technicians

Solar Panel Installer
Weatherization Technician
Wind Turbine Specialist

*requires a 4-year degree or higher

 

What are the most in-demand and well-paying green jobs in Massachusetts?

  1. Electrician
  2. HVAC-R Technician
  3. Lineperson (someone who constructs, maintains, and repairs high- and low-voltage electrical power lines)
  4. Construction laborer
  5. Building inspector

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