The Carbon Salary Survey says that the salaries of ‘green collar’ workers in the UK have increased by 5% since 2009. The average salary now for jobs in the green sector is £50,622.

This goes against the trend in the overall job market in the UK which has seen a below inflation average salary increase of 2.1%

Job satisfaction levels in this sector are also up with 71% of participants in the survey saying they were satisfied with their jobs.

The survey was conducted by sustainability recruitment specialists Acre Resources and corporate responsibility consultancy Acona. It is the biggest annual report of the climate change/carbon job market.

The survey covered the global job market in addition to the UK and also found the outlook positive around the world. The global average salary in the green sector also rose by £1,245 and high job satisfaction and security was also reported.

Acre Resources managing director, Andy Cartland, said: “This year’s Carbon Salary Survey points to a worldwide market that remains encouragingly resolute in the face of difficult economic circumstances.

“Continuing from last year’s survey there is definite proof that the mainstream economy is ‘greening’ as the sector continues with its positive growth.”

An interesting finding was the increased focus on solar in the UK with regard to job function (moving from position 5 to 2 in top job functions).

For those hoping for a bonus, the news was not so good. The average bonus in the UK was £10,901 which was down 44% on last year’s figures, not surprising perhaps in the context of the current economic climate.

Alison Brown

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