The Hydrogen Economy and Employment in the Energy Sector

March 12, 2021

A coalition of major oil & gas, power, automotive, fuel cell, and hydrogen companies recently released a “Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy” that predicts hydrogen from low-carbon sources could provide approximately 14% of the country’s energy needs by 2050. The key phrase here? “Low-carbon.” Currently, 95% of the hydrogen we use is developed using fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas. However, hydrogen itself, when used in a fuel cell, for example, emits exactly zero CO2. Hence the global race to create a carbon neutral Hydrogen Economy.

At present, the process of creating green hydrogen through renewable energy sources and electrolysis is both too expensive and technologically limited to achieve in a scalable way. But energy companies and fuel cell manufacturers are striving to improve that process and simultaneously create the infrastructure that will be necessary to store, transport, and deliver hydrogen to customers. Higher education institutions are also actively involved in research and development of new technologies and applications to advance the hydrogen economy.

Current jobs related to the hydrogen economy generally require advanced education and expertise in fields such as chemistry and engineering. Supply chain and logistics experts are involved as well. Gray’s data show that job postings related to chemistry, engineering, and supply chain and logistics are consistently high, looking at the year-over-year comparison, with a considerable increase to 68,000 in October.

Job Postings related to Engineering and Supply Chain by Month

Hydrogen Economy Job Posting


A fully realized hydrogen economy has the potential to support hundreds of thousands of additional jobs – as many as 700,000 by 2030 according to the Road Map report. These jobs will span a wide range of occupations and require varied skill sets and education levels. Predictions include everything from hydrogen truck drivers and plant operators to asset managers and power marketers. To meet this demand, schools may need to develop new concentrations and programs not just in disciplines like chemistry and engineering, but also in fields such as energy management, public administration, business and marketing, communications, and even trades such as welding and manufacturing technicians.

The efforts to combat climate change by reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere make hydrogen a promising candidate for clean energy. Colleges and universities can play an important role in providing the education, expertise, and skills required to support the development of a fully realized hydrogen economy, and train workers for the myriad occupations such an economy would produce.

Elaine Rowles

Principal

Elaine works with Gray’s education clients on strategic planning projects, program portfolio evaluations, program feasibility studies, price benchmarking, and research-intensive custom project work. She has performed in-depth analyses of existing programs and institutions, as well as assessed demand and employment opportunities for new and emerging programs.

Related Posts

When Bad News Is Good News: Cyber Breaches Drive Demand For Cybersecurity Programs

Discover how recent cyberattacks are shaping cybersecurity programs at academic institutions. Are there enough interested students, and will graduates find jobs in this field? Explore the surge in cybersecurity graduates, enrollment trends, and employment opportunities, revealing a promising landscape for both students and higher education institutions.

The Artists Are Not Starving: How Arts Programs Profit Students and Schools

Can arts programs lead to prosperous careers? We dissect recent data that challenges the “starving artist” stereotype. Explore the resilient growth of visual and performing arts enrollments post-pandemic, the diverse paths graduates take, and surprising employment outcomes. Discover why arts education is not just surviving but thriving. 

A Shot of Perspective on the Nursing Shortage: Insights into Employer Demand

Uncover the surprising trends shaping the future of nursing with Gray’s Head of Research, Elaine Rowles! Delve into the intriguing interplay between enrollment, job postings, and salaries for RNs and LPNs. Despite certain declines, the demand for nurses remains strong, leaving a profound impact on nursing programs and the overall healthcare landscape. Explore how educators and employers are actively shaping the future of nursing. Plus, get valuable insights into the recent data on nursing jobs and its implications for higher education.

About Us
closeup photo of

Gray Associates, Inc. is a software and services firm focused on higher education. We help education clients develop fact-based institutional and marketing strategies that maximize outcomes for students, the school, and its constituencies.

Let’s Socialize

Popular Post
Subscribe to Our Blog

Don’t miss the latest research and insights from Gray Associates