The improvement was revealed in the first Renewable Energy Salary Survey, which also indicated the growing market for clean energy, Energy Matters website reported.
According to the survey, the average yearly full-time salary package in the renewable industry is approximately around $140,000, with a third earning annual salaries of $60,000 to $99,999. It also reflects a higher level of worker confidence in the renewable sector.
The survey, wherein 400 people participated, was conducted by Cranfield Projects in collaboration with EcoGeneration and backed up by data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from 2015 to 216.
ABS said that prospects for years 2016 to 2017 are increasing due to larger investments, implementation of large-scale projects, and higher demand for solar batteries.
The survey results also indicated, “Some participants had speculated that the salary levels do not match to other industries, such as mining, oil, and gas. However, many believe these remuneration levels ‘will change and are changing’ to become higher and acceptable by the employees.”
It also concluded that salary packages are significant factors in order to attract more qualified professionals in the renewable energy sector.
Only 14 percent of the respondents said that they have received a year-on-year pay increase larger than or equal to 10 percent. More than 65 percent of them think the increase in their salaries does not align with their experience in the industry.
Higher-ranked employees such as Energy analyst, Director, and Sales Manager with three to five years experience working in the clean energy industry believe that salary levels may be low because of the growing competition in the job market.
The survey also stated, “Some respondents who were satisfied with salary levels nevertheless were critical of the government and its efforts in the effective deployment of renewable energy policies. Some responses realised that many passionate people ‘lining up to be involved in the industry’ although it is often hampered by ‘unstable short-term-thinking government energy policies,’ negativity in the mainstream media, and the ‘irresponsible government policy vacuum.”
Read the full report here.
