This Data Insight explores employment in green jobs in England and Wales. The article considers who is working in a green occupation and calculates if there is a pay benefit for doing so. It presents findings by linking O*NET (Occupational Information Network) data on green jobs to de-identified data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) linked to the 2011 Census – England and Wales dataset.
Given the urgency of the transition to net-zero, there is a need for a robust evidence base to support green policy interventions. Intelligence in relation to green jobs, however, is partial and fragmented, driven in part by the lack of an international consensus on definition and its effect on data collection. Damian’s Data Insight contributes new evidence to explore green employment in England and Wales by linking O*NET data to de-identified data from the newly linked ASHE- 2011 Census dataset.
It pays to be green- but not for everyone
This findings of this study show that in 2018, workers in green occupations earned a median hourly wage of £14.00, significantly higher than the £11.14 median for non-green jobs. That pay premium—around 4% after adjusting for factors like experience and education—positions green jobs not just as climate-friendly, but financially attractive.
However, these benefits are not evenly distributed.
“Not only are female and ethnic groups underrepresented in green employment, but when they are employed in green jobs, they are paid less than their counterparts.”
The research reveals that men hold over two-thirds of green jobs, and white workers are far more likely than Black or Asian workers to be employed in a green role. When women or ethnic minorities do secure green employment, they often face persistent pay gaps—over 10% lower on average than their white, male counterparts.
A particularly telling finding: women with childcare responsibilities are significantly less likely to work in green jobs, suggesting a mismatch between the structure of these roles and the realities of caregiving.
A call for a fair transition
Green jobs are not only critical for tackling climate change—they also tend to offer higher pay, making them increasingly attractive and economically viable career paths. To ensure a just transition, policymakers must address these existing disparities and support inclusive growth in the green sector.
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