Women in the Energy Industry

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Women in power

Unfortunately, the studies and surveys referenced in this article did not include or reference participants who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.

The energy industry still has a long way to go regarding equal gender representation. Female-identifying workers make up about 26% of the workforce in the power sector, a significant discrepancy considering women account for 47% of the total national workforce.

The following are some important statistics about women in power and energy workplaces.

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that female employees in the global energy sector earn almost 15% less than their male counterparts despite holding the same skill level.
• Lower than 15% of senior managers in the energy industry are women.
• Approximately 11% of energy startup founders are women, which is lower than outside the sector, where women make up roughly 18% of entrepreneurs.

While the gender gap has improved over the decades, there remains room for diversification in the energy industry. That said, it’s important to point out that women have already made significant contributions to the energy sector. SaveOnEnergy celebrates the accomplishments of women in the energy industry.

Women’s History Month 2025

March is Women’s History Month — a perfect time to celebrate the achievements of women in the energy sector. Despite historically accounting for a smaller percentage of the workforce, women have broken ground as leaders in the energy industry throughout the years.

The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) highlights many female leaders and innovators in the energy industry throughout history. These women contributed to the growth of the energy field, and their work helped create a promising future of innovation. Here’s a quick recap of women’s important efforts in the energy industry over time.

In the 1850s, Eunice Foote’s experiments with atmospheric gasses led to the discovery of the greenhouse effect. One of Foote’s male colleagues presented her findings in 1856, and Foote did not receive credit for her research until 2011.

In the 1930s, Mária Telkes’ research into solar technology led to her invention of a solar-powered desalination kit to make seawater drinkable for pilots and sailors during World War II. She later made many other significant contributions to the solar industry, including creating a solar-powered home heating system.

Women continue to drive the energy sector forward. From improving the electrical grid to developing new batteries for electric vehicles, there’s no shortage of female innovators to celebrate this March. Here are a few of the women who have contributed to recent advancements in the energy industry:

Top energy careers for female workers

The energy industry is rapidly expanding and offers countless opportunities for women. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2023 and 2033, wind and solar occupations will have the highest employment growth out of the total national workforce. Consider the following opportunities if you are exploring a career in energy.

Opportunities in renewables

The renewable energy industry has a larger share of female workers than the overall energy industry. According to a study from the International Renewable Energy Agency, women hold about 32% of renewable energy jobs. Advancements in wind and solar energy are an exciting opportunity to improve the gender gap. Job opportunities in renewables are an excellent avenue for women looking to have a hand in developing a cleaner energy future.
Two roles with the highest anticipated growth are wind turbine service technicians and solar panel installers. Wind turbine service technicians have the highest anticipated growth rate, at 60% over the next 10 years. The second-highest role is solar panel installers, which is slated to grow 48% during the next 10 years.

Other energy careers for women

Renewable energy is not the only industry booming with high-growth opportunities for women. Engineering roles are a steadfast option in the energy industry, with various types of engineers being a vital part of the field’s growth and development. Explore what these roles entail:

• Civil engineers design and manage energy-efficient infrastructure, including building transmission lines, researching environmental impact, and overseeing project financing.
• Energy engineers create solutions to energy consumption. This involves developing energy-efficient technologies to lower consumption and researching areas for improvement.
• Environmental engineers assess the environmental impacts of energy projects such as power plants, transmission systems, or pipelines. They may also design and execute projects to promote sustainable energy solutions

Women in STEM

Women comprise a varying percentage of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The Pew Research Center notes that U.S. women account for the majority of health-related workers but are underrepresented in other STEM occupations. For example, women account for only 15% of engineering jobs and 25% of computing jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers are expected to increase by 10.4% from 2023 to 2033. Considering the anticipated increase in overall STEM job prospects, opportunities for women in STEM occupations will likely continue to grow.

STEM scholarships opportunities

Women interested in expanding their education in STEM fields can apply for a variety of scholarships. BestColleges.com offers a list of scholarships specifically designed for women interested in STEM.

(BestColleges.com is also owned by SaveOnEnergy’s parent company, Red Ventures.)

While women tend to make up less of the workforce in the energy sector, they have consistently contributed to advancing energy technology throughout history and into the present day. Female industry leaders have opened doors for future leaders, narrowed the gender gap, created invaluable research, and pushed the boundaries of the power sector.