U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

Careers in Electric Vehicles

James Hamilton

Electric vehicles have come a long way since 

General Motors produced the first modern electric 

automobile in 1996. With the recent introduction 

of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, manufacturers of electric vehicles have made great strides in terms 

of technology and consumer acceptance. Electric cars 

are considered to be an important step towards reducing 

petroleum dependence, protecting the environment, and 

improving transportation sustainability. Many manufacturers have made major investments in electric automobile technology. The production of these vehicles will 

provide employment opportunities for many workers, 

particularly those with automotive manufacturing experience. 

This report provides information on the relevant career fields in the production and maintenance of electric 

vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric vehicles.1

 The first sections explain the components 

and types of electric autos, followed by a section that 

profiles key occupations in the electric vehicle industry. This report focuses on occupations in research and 

development, manufacturing, maintenance, infrastructure 

development, and sales. The information for each occupation includes a brief job description; the credentials 

needed to work in these occupations, such as education, 

training, certification, or licensure; and wage data.

Brief history of electric vehicles

Electric vehicles have been around in one form or another since the invention of the automobile. Many of the 

first automobiles were powered by a battery and not by 

gasoline. Electric vehicles even outsold gasoline-powered vehicles in the early 20th century. However, with 

improvements to gasoline engines and the availability of 

cheap fuel, electric vehicles fell out of favor. Throughout 

the 20th century, several models of electric vehicles were 

produced, but none became widely adopted by consumers.

The 1990s saw a renewed interest in electric vehicles 

because of increasing concerns about the environment 

and higher fuel costs. General Motors introduced the 

EV-1 all-electric vehicle and began leasing the vehicles 

in 1996. However, the EV-1 was discontinued after 

several years. In 2000, hybrid-electric vehicles hit the 

market when Honda introduced the Insight in the United 

States, and Toyota followed with the highly successful 

James Hamilton is an economist in the Office of 

Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 

BLS. James is available at (202) 691-7877 or hamilton.

james@bls.gov.

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

BLS

September 2011 — Report 4

Nissan Leaf, all-electric vehicle
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2

Prius several months later. In 2011, General Motors 

began selling the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid, and 

Nissan began selling the Leaf, an all-electric vehicle.

With these and other models, electric vehicles are 

rising in popularity and sales. In the United States, 

electric car sales increased from near zero in 1999 to a 

high of about 350,000 units in 2007. Sales of all motor 

vehicles, including electric ones, were affected by the 

2007–2009 recession. Electric vehicle sales fell to about 

250,000 vehicles in 2010. (See chart 1.) 

Many consumers purchased electric vehicles in order 

to qualify for tax incentives from the federal government 

and some states. The tax credits and rebates were created 

by the federal government in an effort to reduce dependence on petroleum and build U.S. leadership in electric 

vehicle technologies.2

 From July 2005 until December 

2010, federal tax credits were available for hybrid vehicles; these have since expired and have been replaced 

with similar rebates for plug-in hybrid and all-electric 

vehicles. Federal tax credits are currently available for 

up to $7,500 for vehicles, plus an additional $2,000 

for the stations used to charge all-electric vehicles and 

some hybrids. The federal government has also invested 

in vehicle technologies to support the electric vehicle 

industry, including research and development of batteries 

and charging stations. 

Tax credits are offered by some states. For example, 

California offers tax credits of up to $5,000 on an 

electric vehicle purchase. In addition, some states that 

operate high occupancy lanes, known as HOV or carpool 

lanes, allow electric vehicles to use them regardless of 

the number of passengers. 

The popularity of electric vehicles can be partially 

attributed to the rising price of gasoline. As gasoline 

prices increase, more consumers are turning to hybrid or 

electric vehicles as a method to lower their expenses. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have 

data on employment in the electric vehicle industry. 

However, BLS is currently in the process of collecting 

data to measure green jobs, including those jobs relevant 

to the electric vehicles industry. Data should be available 

in 2012.3

Differences between electric and 

traditional vehicles

Electric vehicles share many of the same basic components found in traditional automobiles, but they have 

unique components that separate them from conventional 

vehicles, such as the lithium-ion battery and electric motor.

Batteries

Most conventional gasoline-powered vehicles use leadacid batteries. Electric vehicles, however, require large 

lithium-ion batteries or other batteries that use new 

technologies that provide more power and weigh less 

than older batteries of a similar size. Batteries in electric vehicles must also supply a much greater amount of 

electricity and recharge faster than those in conventional 

vehicles. Thus, electric vehicle batteries are much larger 

than conventional vehicle batteries; they usually weigh 

several hundred pounds, need to be replaced after several 

years, and can 

cost thousands 

of dollars. Scientists and engineers continue 

to develop new 

technologies to 

create smaller, 

lighter batteries 

that last longer 

and provide more 

power.

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999

Chart 1. Sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles, 1999–2010

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Vehicles sold

Electric vehicle battery
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 3

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

Electric motors

Electric motors have been used for over a century; in 

fact, they were used in some of the earliest cars. Electric 

motors are powered by an electric current that creates 

a magnetic charge and turns a driveshaft. (See diagram 

1.) Electric motors waste less energy in the form of heat 

than do internal combustion engines, so they are more 

efficient. Torque (a measure of the turning force on an 

object) and revolutions per minute (RPM, or the speed 

that the motor turns) can be controlled by the electric 

motor as it adjusts the electrical current fed through the 

motor, even making a transmission unnecessary in some 

vehicles.

 

Internal combustion engines

Most hybrid vehicles contain an internal combustion 

engine as the primary source of power, with a battery 

and electric motor acting as secondary power sources. 

Because power is also available from the battery and 

electric motor, these engines are typically smaller than 

those found in regular automobiles. Internal combustion 

engines in hybrid vehicles can also be used to recharge 

the battery. Plug-in hybrids get most of their power from 

the electric system and use the internal combustion engine to recharge the battery or to power the vehicle after 

the battery runs out. 

Types of electric vehicles

Electric vehicles can be classified as hybrids, plug-in 

hybrids, and all-electric vehicles. Each type of vehicle 

works in a different way and has its own advantages and 

disadvantages. 

Hybrid electric vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles, commonly called hybrids, are 

powered by a combination of an internal combustion 

engine and an electric motor. There are several types of 

hybrid vehicles, and they vary depending on whether 

the engine or the motor is the primary source of power. 

Some are powered primarily by an internal combustion 

engine with additional power supplied by an electric 

motor. Others are powered by the electric motor with a 

gasoline engine as backup. 

The electric motor is powered by a battery and 

generator. The generator, which receives power from the 

internal combustion engine, charges the battery and the 

battery powers the electric motor. In all cases, having 

an electric motor allows for a much smaller gas engine, 

which saves fuel and lowers tailpipe emissions. These 

vehicles may also employ regenerative braking, in which 

energy captured from the brakes is used to recharge the 

battery. This allows the vehicle to get better gas mileage 

when driving in the city and in stop-and-go traffic. These 

are currently the most popular type of electric vehicles in 

use today. Models are available from many manufacturers, including the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and 

the Ford Escape Hybrid. 

Plug-in hybrid vehicles

Plug-in hybrids have an electric motor and a gasoline 

engine like other hybrids, but they have a larger battery 

and can be charged from a secondary power source when 

they are in a resting state. Plug-in hybrids can drive anywhere from 10 to 40 miles using just electricity before 

the battery runs out and the internal combustion engine 

Diagram 1 — Inner workings of an electric motor

Diagram 2 — Powertrain of a hybrid electric vehicle
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 4

turns on to power the vehicle. The Chevrolet Volt is an 

example of this type of vehicle.

All-electric vehicles

All-electric vehicles, also called battery electric vehicles, 

are powered by only a battery and an electric motor, and 

they do not contain a gasoline engine at all. When their 

power runs low, all-electric vehicles must be plugged in 

to an external source of electricity, such as a charging 

station, to recharge their batteries. Because their batteries are larger than batteries in other electric vehicles, 

all-electric vehicles can drive for about 100 miles before 

they must be recharged. However, they have no gasoline 

engine to take over when the battery runs low, so these 

vehicles have a lower overall mileage range than other 

types of electric vehicles. The major benefit of all-electric cars is that they consume no gasoline and have zero 

tailpipe emissions. The Nissan Leaf is an example of this 

type of vehicle.

Converted electric vehicles

Some traditional gas-powered vehicles that have internal 

combustion engines are converted to electric vehicles 

that use electric propulsion. Because of the limited number of electric vehicle models on the market, conversion 

companies often perform vehicle conversions for consumers who prefer a certain type of vehicle not currently 

available with an electric motor. Businesses also do 

vehicle conversions for specific types of vehicles that are 

required for business, such as light trucks or passenger 

vehicles.

Electric vehicle occupations

Workers from a variety of educational and employment backgrounds are employed in the electric vehicle 

industry, such as the scientists who conduct research in 

electric drive technology, the manufacturing workers 

who build the vehicles, and the automotive maintenance 

technicians who repair the vehicles. Most of these occupations require specialized training or work experience 

in electric vehicle manufacturing and maintenance.

This section describes some of the most common 

jobs in the electric vehicle industry; for each occupation, 

job duties are listed, along with the credentials needed 

for the occupation, including education, training, certification, or licensure. Certification demonstrates the 

candidate’s competency in a skill or set of skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an 

examination, or some combination of the three. Licensing is done by individual states, and typically requires 

the candidate to pass an examination and to fulfill certain 

eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of 

education, work experience, training, or the completion 

of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. 

Wage data are also included in the occupation 

descriptions. Although BLS does not currently publish 

wage data specifically for electric vehicle occupations, 

the wages listed represent the larger industry or industry 

group that would employ the electric vehicle workers, 

when applicable. Wage data do not include benefits or 

other compensation.

Employment growth is expected in most occupations 

in the electric vehicle industry in the next few years, 

according to a study by the Center for Entrepreneurship 

and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley. Growth is expected in manufacturing industries and 

the domestic energy sector as the need for batteries and 

Diagram 3 — Powertrain of a plug-in hybrid vehicle

Diagram 4 — Powertrain of an all-electric vehicle
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 5

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

charging stations increase.4 New types of automobile 

manufacturing jobs will also be created; however, many 

of these jobs will be filled by current manufacturing 

employees or those that were displaced by recent downsizing of the automobile manufacturing industry. The 

transportation subsector itself accounted for a significant 

portion of the jobs lost in the manufacturing sector during the 2007–2009 recession.5 

Occupations in scientific research

Scientists in this industry search for new knowledge and 

conduct research to improve electric vehicle technology. 

Both chemists and materials scientists conduct research 

on improving battery life and recharging time. Materials 

scientists also research and develop new materials for 

use in electric vehicles. 

Drivers who are considering the purchase of a plugin or an all-electric vehicle must take into account how 

far the vehicle can drive before requiring a recharge. 

Because of the limited availability of electric vehicle 

charging stations, drivers will need vehicles that they can 

drive long ranges before needing a recharge. According 

to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 11 states 

had no public charging stations at all as of June 2011, 

and 16 states had 10 or fewer. (See map 1.) Because 

electricity storage is the major limiting factor for electric 

vehicle adoption, many scientists working on electric 

vehicles are focused on improving battery technology to 

allow for larger capacity. 

To make electric vehicles a viable alternative to 

traditional ones, scientists also strive to make batteries 

that recharge faster. Nonelectric vehicles can be filled 

with gas in a matter of a few minutes, while most current 

batteries require several hours to fully charge. 

Scientists also work on batteries to improve a hybrid 

vehicle’s fuel economy. The longer a vehicle can be driven on battery power alone, the less fuel it will consume. 

Improved batteries will allow vehicles to rely more on 

electric propulsion and less on fossil fuels. 

Scientists usually work in offices and laboratories. 

Research and development (R&D) scientists work in offices, where they do research, and they plan, record, and 

report on their lab research. Some laboratories are small, 

and others are large enough to incorporate prototype 

chemical manufacturing facilities and advanced testing 

Map 1. Public electric vehicle charging stations in the United States, June 2011

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Electric Stations

None

10 or less

11 – 20

21 – 50

51 – 100

Over 500
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 6

equipment. Scientists often work with engineers and processing specialists in industrial manufacturing facilities.

Job duties

Chemists investigate the properties, composition, and 

structure of matter, and the laws that govern the reactions 

of substances to each other. Using this knowledge, chemists working on electric vehicles find new chemicals to 

use in batteries or ways to make existing batteries work 

better. They work closely with engineers and other scientists to develop new batteries and other technologies.

Materials scientists study the structures and 

chemical properties of various materials to develop new 

products or enhance existing ones. For electric vehicles, 

materials scientists are heavily involved in battery research, but also develop materials for other parts of the 

vehicle. Structural and mechanical components made out 

of lighter or stronger materials will be needed to make 

vehicles more fuel efficient and reliable. These materials also may improve the safety of vehicles as well as 

the environmental impact. In the United States, some 

vehicles already have interior components, such as seats 

and upholstery, made out of plant-based and recycled 

materials that were developed by materials scientists.

Credentials

A doctoral degree is a necessity for scientists who 

conduct original research and develop new products. 

However, other scientific workers may find jobs with a 

bachelor’s or master’s degree. Computer skills are essential for scientists to perform data analysis, integration, 

modeling, and testing. Certification or licensure is not 

necessary for most of these scientists.

Wages

BLS currently does not have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for 

selected scientist occupations for May 2010. The wages 

shown are median annual wages for the United States as 

a whole; wages vary by employer and location. 

Selected scientist occupations Median annual 

wages, 20101

Chemists $68,320

Materials scientists 84,720

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

Occupations in design and development

Workers who design and develop electric automobile 

technology include engineers, engineering technicians, 

and drafters; software developers; and industrial designers. Engineers apply the principles of science and 

mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific 

research and commercial applications. Many engineers 

specify requirements, then design, test, and integrate 

components to produce designs for new products. After 

the design phase, engineers are responsible for evaluating a design’s effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. 

Engineers use computers extensively to produce and analyze designs and to simulate and test systems. Computers 

are also necessary to monitor quality control processes. 

Most engineers work in offices, laboratories, or 

industrial plants. Engineers are employed by most 

companies that manufacture electric vehicles and their 

components. Engineering is one of the most sought-after 

occupations in the automobile manufacturing industry. 

Engineers work in teams with other engineers, scientists, and industrial production managers to create new 

processes or devices for the manufacture of electric 

vehicles—or to improve existing ones.

In addition to engineers, several other occupations 

are important to the design and development process. 

Engineering technicians and mechanical drafters assist 

engineers with design work and other tasks. Software 

developers create the software that is used to control 

the various systems of the vehicle, including the engine, 

battery, generator, and electric motor. Finally, industrial 

designers are responsible for the overall design of the 

vehicle and major components.

Job duties

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry to 

design or improve equipment or to devise processes for 

manufacturing chemicals and products. Because the batteries of electric vehicles store power through chemical 

processes, chemical engineers are responsible for developing new battery designs and improving current battery 

technologies. They are also vital in designing equipment 

and processes for large-scale manufacturing and in planning and testing the methods of battery manufacturing.

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical components. They 

are responsible for designing the electrical circuitry that 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 7

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

allows a gas engine to charge the battery and distribute 

the electricity from the battery to the electric motor. 

Electrical engineers also might work on the heating and 

air-conditioning systems, vehicle lighting, and visual 

displays.

Electronics engineers design, develop, and test electronic components and systems for vehicles. These engineers are primarily focused on the control systems and 

additional electronic components for the vehicle. They 

are different from electrical engineers in that they do not 

focus on the generation and distribution of electricity. 

Industrial engineers determine the most effective 

ways to use the basic factors of production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to manufacture vehicles. They are concerned primarily with increasing productivity through the management of people, use 

of technology, and improvement of production methods. 

Because many electric vehicles require original manufacturing plans, industrial engineers design innovative 

manufacturing processes and retool plants that formerly 

made different models of cars. 

Materials engineers are involved in the development, processing, and testing of materials used in 

electric vehicles. Many electric vehicles are made of 

newer materials that are lighter and stronger than those 

in traditional cars. Materials engineers may also incorporate environmentally friendly materials that are derived 

from plant-based materials or recycled materials. 

Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test the 

tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices 

in electric vehicles. These devices may be components 

of electric vehicles, or 

machines that are used in 

the manufacture or repair 

of these vehicles. These 

engineers may focus on 

engines, electric motors, or 

other mechanical devices, 

such as transmissions, 

drivetrains, or steering 

systems.

Mechanical 

engineering technicians 

assist engineers with solving technical problems in 

research, development, 

manufacturing, construction, inspection, and 

maintenance. Their work 

is more narrowly focused 

and is more oriented toward applications than that of engineers or scientists. Engineering technicians will build 

or set up equipment, prepare and conduct experiments, 

collect data, and calculate or record results. They may 

also help engineers or scientists to make prototypes of 

newly designed equipment or assist with computer-aided 

design and drafting (CADD) equipment.

Mechanical drafters prepare detailed drawings 

that show how to assemble machinery and mechanical devices. They are responsible for producing visual 

guidelines that illustrate the construction methods for 

mechanical components of vehicles. Most drafters use 

CADD systems to prepare drawings.

Software developers design and create software. 

They apply the theories of computer science and mathematical analysis to create and evaluate software applications and systems that make the computers run. Modern 

vehicles are extensively computer-controlled, and software developers create the software that controls these 

vehicles. In addition, hybrid and electric vehicles use 

on-board computers to produce and distribute the proper 

amount of electricity to power the vehicle in given conditions. The on-board computer also determines when to 

use the gasoline engine to power the vehicle and when to 

use the engine to recharge the battery.

Commercial and industrial designers are responsible for the style, function, quality, and safety of vehicles. 

When they are designing a vehicle or vehicle component, 

designers must take into account the preferences of 

potential consumers as well as the production abilities of 

Chevrolet Volt, plug-in hybrid
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 8

manufacturers. The designers must work with engineers 

and other members of the production team to ensure 

that the vehicles meet specified requirements. They then 

prepare sketches or diagrams, usually with the aid of 

computers, and work with engineers and other designers 

to improve a design.

Credentials

Engineers typically enter the electric vehicle industry 

with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering. However, some positions require previous experience or an 

advanced degree. Entry-level engineers may begin their 

career as an assistant to a more senior engineer until they 

develop the skills needed to work independently. Engineers are also expected to complete continuing education 

courses to keep up with rapidly changing technology.

Specialized programs for engineering students who 

wish to work on electric or alternative fuel vehicles are 

available through the Department of Energy’s Graduate 

Automotive Technology Education (GATE) program. 

The GATE program has educational programs at centers 

at eight universities nationwide.6 

Engineers are usually required to be certified in 

specific systems and technologies, depending on the 

systems used by a particular manufacturer. Licensure as 

a professional engineer (PE) is highly desired by employers and is often required for anything higher than an 

entry-level position.

Engineering technicians and drafters usually have 

an associate’s degree or certification from a community 

college or a technical school. Technicians and drafters 

participate in on-the-job training and are closely supervised by engineers.

Software developers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline, 

combined with experience in computer programming 

and software design.

Commercial and industrial designers also typically 

have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or industrial design, and they usually receive some on-the-job 

training.

Wages

BLS currently does not have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for 

selected engineers, mechanical engineering technicians, 

drafters, software developers, and commercial and 

industrial designers in the transportation equipment 

manufacturing industry group for May 2010. The wages 

shown are median annual wages for the United States as 

a whole; wages vary by employer and location. 

Selected design and development 

occupations in transportation 

equipment manufacturing

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Chemical engineers $97,480

Electrical engineers 87,580

Electronics engineers, except 

computer 100,450

Industrial engineers 77,160

Materials engineers 89,000

Mechanical engineers 81,290

Mechanical engineering technicians 52,950

Mechanical drafters 53,840

Software developers, applications 94,680

Commercial and industrial designers 67,790

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

Occupations in manufacturing

Manufacturing electric vehicles is a complex process 

that requires a large, skilled workforce. Electric vehicle 

systems are more complex than a traditional internal 

combustion engine, so they require special manufacturing processes. Many of the workers involved in the 

manufacture of electric vehicles have previously worked 

in traditional vehicle manufacturing. Automotive manufacturing occupations tend to be clustered around traditional industrial centers in the Great Lakes region and 

the Midwest. The largest concentrations of these jobs are 

in Michigan and Ohio, but automobile manufacturing 

plants are located in other states as well. Manufacturing jobs in the electric vehicle industry include various 

assemblers, machine tool operators, machinists, and 

industrial production managers.

Finished vehicles are manufactured by a few large 

auto companies, but many of the vehicles’ parts are made 

by smaller companies that specialize in individual components. These smaller pieces are then sold to the larger 

auto manufacturers. 

Many of the occupations involved in manufacturing electric vehicles are also involved in the manufacture of vehicle charging stations, which are necessary 

for most types of plug-in hybrid vehicles and all types 

of battery-electric vehicles. These stations are usually 

purchased along with the vehicle and installed at the 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 9

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

assemblers. However, these workers focus more on the 

mechanical components, as opposed to electronics.

Engine and other machine assemblers construct 

and assemble engines used in automobiles. They put 

together the gasoline-powered engines that are present 

in hybrid cars and may be responsible for other components as well.

Team assemblers work on a variety of manufacturing tasks. They may work on a traditional assembly line 

or in a so-called “lean” manufacturing system, in which 

they may rotate between several different types of assembly work. These workers are usually on a team that 

completes the final assembly of a vehicle. They may also 

assemble vehicle components that are not electrical or 

mechanical in nature, such as interiors or the body and 

frame of the vehicle.

Computer-controlled machine tool operators use 

machines to fabricate metal and plastic components of 

vehicles. To set up the machine for certain operations, 

they download a program and fix the appropriate tools 

into the machine. After positioning the piece that is 

being worked on, computer-controlled machine tool operators start the machine. They may also be responsible 

for some routine maintenance of the machines or for 

troubleshooting if a problem occurs.

Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, 

milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision 

metal parts. Producing large quantities of a single part 

may be partially or fully automated, and machinists are 

responsible for monitoring the machines and the quality 

of the output. Machinists 

are also responsible for 

producing small batches or 

making one-of-a-kind parts 

for prototypes or testing. 

If many more pieces are 

needed, they are often massproduced using computercontrolled machines.

Industrial production 

managers plan, direct, and 

coordinate the production 

activities required to manufacture vehicles and vehicle 

components. They make 

sure that goals for output 

and quality are met while 

still remaining within budget. They are responsible 

owner’s home or workplace. In addition, commercial 

charging stations have been installed throughout the 

country. (See map 1.) These stations are owned by private companies or government agencies and are available for electric vehicle owners to recharge their vehicles 

when away from home or work.

Manufacturing workers usually work in large 

automotive assembly plants. These plants are usually 

quite noisy because they are filled with robotic devices, 

powerful machines, and hydraulic lifts. Safety conditions 

in assembly plants have improved considerably over the 

past several decades. However, manufacturing workers 

might use machinery or chemicals that require special 

handling.

Job duties

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers build 

products such as electric motors, computers, electronic 

control devices, and sensing equipment. Some of these 

components may be too small or fragile for human assembly, so they are assembled by automated systems. 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers fit 

together the parts of larger components or controlling 

automated systems that are used for smaller pieces.

Electromechanical equipment assemblers use a 

variety of tools to build and assemble electromechanical 

components used in electric vehicles, such as gasoline 

engines, electric motors, and generators. This occupation 

is similar to electrical and electronic equipment 

Automobile assembly
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 10

for monitoring the production run to make sure that it 

stays on schedule and for correcting any problems that 

may arise. Depending on the size of a manufacturing 

plant, industrial production managers may oversee the 

entire plant or just one area of it. 

Credentials

Manufacturing workers have a variety of skill levels. 

Most assembly positions require short-term on-the-job 

training to familiarize workers with production processes 

and with any equipment they use. Experienced assemblers may be promoted to supervisory positions after 

several years of working on the assembly line. Computer-controlled machine tool operators are usually trained 

on the job. Machinists require more training, and they often learn their trade through an apprenticeship that lasts 

3 to 5 years. 

Industrial production managers usually have at least 

a bachelor’s degree, typically in an engineering discipline, such as mechanical or industrial engineering, and 

several years of experience working in the automobile 

manufacturing industry. 

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for 

selected manufacturing occupations in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry group for May 

2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the 

United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and 

location. 

Selected manufacturing occupations 

in transportation equipment 

manufacturing

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Electrical and electronic equipment 

assemblers $29,470

Electromechanical equipment 

assemblers

 

 32,430

Engine and other machine 

assemblers 47,440

Team assemblers 32,500

Computer-controlled machine tool 

operators, metal and plastic

 

 35,580

Machinists 40,810

Industrial production managers 91,460

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

Occupations in electric vehicle maintenance

As with any vehicle, electric vehicles need to be occasionally maintained and repaired. Much of the routine 

maintenance and repair work can be done by normal 

repair workers, but the electrical systems and drivetrain 

will often need skilled workers familiar with electric vehicles.7

 Repairing or installing electric vehicle batteries 

requires workers who are trained to work with specific 

types of batteries. Batteries need to be replaced every 

few years depending on usage and type of battery. 

Job duties

Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, 

maintain, and repair automobiles that run on gasoline, 

electricity, or a combination of the two. They plan and 

perform basic car maintenance and vehicle repairs. The 

job of automotive service technicians and mechanics 

has evolved from simple mechanical repairs to highlevel technology-related work. Integrated electronic 

systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and 

their performance on the road. Fixing problems with 

these systems requires workers to use computerized shop 

equipment and work with electronic components as well 

as traditional hand tools.

Credentials

Automotive service technicians and mechanics are 

increasingly required to have formal training because of 

the rapidly growing sophistication of automotive technology. Training typically begins in high school or a 

postsecondary vocational school or community college. 

Certification from the National Institute for Automotive 

Service Excellence (ASE) is usually required to work 

for larger repair shops or at dealerships. Formal education programs can last from a few weeks of on-the-job 

Automotive service technician
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 11

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

training to a 2-year associate’s degree. On-the-job training is necessary before a worker can begin to work independently. It typically takes 2 to 5 years of experience to 

become a fully qualified automotive service technician 

through ASE.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics need 

special skills and knowledge to work on electric vehicles. Electric vehicles use new and unique technologies, 

so technicians generally are trained to work on a particular type of vehicle and often specialize in vehicles made 

by a single manufacturer. Auto manufacturers typically 

provide this specialized training to technicians and mechanics. Workers are usually sent by their employers to 

formal training courses to gain certification on a particular vehicle type.

Programs, such as the National Alternative Fuels 

Training Consortium (NAFTC), have been developed to 

train workers on a wide variety of skills needed to work 

on electric or alternative fuel vehicles.8

 NAFTC provides 

curricula and training to secondary and postsecondary 

students studying automotive technology as well as automotive technicians who are already working in the field.

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The median annual wage for 

automotive service technicians and mechanics in the 

automotive repair and maintenance industry group was 

$33,010 for May 2010. The wage is for the United States 

as a whole; wages vary by employer and location. 

Occupations in infrastructure development 

As the number of plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles on the road increases, there will be a growing need 

for charging stations to charge them. Electric vehicles 

require special charging stations and increased capacity 

of electric grids. Most of these chargers will be in the 

homes of electric vehicle owners or in public charging 

stations. Public charging stations are needed to recharge 

vehicles for people away from their home chargers.

Building charging stations will require changes to 

existing infrastructure. Many large utilities companies—

and some large cities—are already developing plans to 

handle growing numbers of electric vehicles. Urban and 

regional planners will be involved in planning the infrastructure upgrades, while electrical power-line installers 

and repairers will lay the wires that carry this extra electricity. Electricians will install the charging stations.

According to a study by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of California, 

Berkeley, the largest source of job creation related to 

alternative fuel vehicles is expected to come from the 

construction of a nationwide charging infrastructure.9

NAFTC also provides training for electrical infrastructure engineers and installers.

Job duties

Urban and regional planners plan and implement infrastructure upgrades to support electric vehicles. Several 

cities and local governments are taking an active role in 

promoting and increasing electric vehicle usage. To facilitate adoption of these vehicles, city and local government officials are introducing improvements that must 

be made to municipal electric systems so that public 

charging stations are available to electric vehicle owners. 

Urban and regional planners determine how many charging stations are necessary to support a given number of 

vehicles, as well as where to situate them to reach the 

greatest number of citizens.

Electrical power-line installers and repairers install 

and maintain the power grid—the network of power 

lines that move electricity from generating plants to 

customers. Many electric vehicles require special power 

stations to charge their batteries, and owners of these 

vehicles require more electricity than ordinary consumers. Electrical power-line installers install new lines that 

are capable of handling this increased load. In addition, 

many local governments are adding public charging stations that must be fed by new power lines. These installers place the new lines and connect them to the grid.

Electricians install charging stations and any other 

equipment needed for electric vehicles. They attach the 

charging stations to lines 

that have been installed 

by electrical power-line 

installers and ensure that 

the chargers are working 

properly. When there is a 

problem with the charger, 

electricians are called to 

make necessary repairs. 

Credentials

Urban and regional planners typically work for 

local or state governments 

and enter the field with a Electric vehicle charging station
Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 12

master’s degree in urban or regional planning or a related 

field. Some urban and regional planners may be certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners if 

they have the appropriate combination of education and 

professional experience, and pass an examination.

Electrical power-line installers and repairers must 

have a high school diploma or equivalent and have basic 

math and reading skills. Technical knowledge of electricity is helpful but not required for entry into this field. 

Installers and repairers receive 1 to 5 years of on-the-job 

training from their employer. Safety is constantly emphasized during training because working with high voltage 

electricity can be dangerous.

Electricians should have a high school diploma or 

equivalent and must go through an apprenticeship that 

lasts at least 3 years. During an apprenticeship, an electrician receives formal classroom training as well as onthe-job training from an experienced electrician to gain 

the skills necessary to work independently. In addition, 

most states and localities require an electrician to be 

licensed, which usually involves passing an examination 

that covers knowledge of building codes, the National 

Electric Code, and electrical theory. Before electricians 

are certified to install a particular type of charging station, they are required to go through specialized training 

by the manufacturer.

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for 

selected infrastructure occupations for May 2010. The 

wages shown are median annual wages for the United 

States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Selected infrastructure occupations Median annual 

wages, 20101

Urban and regional planners $63,040

Electrical power-line installers and 

repairers

 58,030

Electricians 48,250

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

Occupations in sales and support

Buying a vehicle is an expensive and complicated 

process for many customers, and these transactions 

require the work of sales and support staff to ensure 

that customers’ needs are met. Sales personnel assist 

customers with the purchase of vehicles, and customer 

service representatives assist owners after they purchase 

a vehicle.

Job duties

Retail salespersons sell vehicles to potential customers. 

In addition to sales, they conduct financial transactions 

to complete the sale of a vehicle. The retail salesperson 

helps a customer identify the vehicle that best meets his 

or her needs and desires. The salesperson also explains 

the features of various models and the specifications, 

options, and types of financing available. Salespeople 

may work long hours and keep irregular schedules and 

often earn at least part of their salary through commission.

Customer service representatives provide a valuable link between the customer and the companies that 

produce the products or services that the customer uses. 

They are responsible for responding to customer inquiries and resolving problems that customers experience. 

They may do their work in call centers by telephone, or 

they may interact face-to-face in a service center or office. Often, customer service representatives will act as a 

liaison between customers and manufacturers or automotive service technicians. They help determine a customer’s needs and relay this information to technicians who 

perform the work.

Credentials

Sales representatives and customer service representatives do not require specialized education beyond a high 

school diploma. Most of these workers are trained on 

the job and will be given more responsibility and promotions as they gain experience. All of these occupaAutomobile salesperson
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 13

Green Jobs: Electric Vehicles

tions require individuals with good communication and 

problem-solving skills. Employers seek out people who 

are friendly and possess a professional manner.

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for 

selected sales and support occupations in the automobile 

dealers industry group for May 2010. The wages shown 

are median annual wages for the United States as a 

whole; wages vary by employer and location. 

Selected sales and support 

occupations in the automobile 

dealers industry group

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Retail salespersons2 $36,470

Customer service representatives 31,400

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits. 2

 Wage data also include commissions.

Notes

1 Electric vehicles are a subset of alternative fuel vehicles. Other 

alternative fuel vehicles—not covered in this report—include vehicles 

that run on natural gas, propane, or biofuels, such as biodiesel and 

ethanol. 

2 “One Million Electric Vehicles by 2015, February 2011 Status 

Report,” p.9, (U.S. Department of Energy, 2011), http://www1.eere.

energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/1_million_electric_vehicles_rpt.

pdf.

3 For more information on the BLS green jobs plans and initiatives, 

please see www.bls.gov/green.

4 Electric Vehicles in the United States” (Center for Entrepreneurship 

and Technology, University of California, Berkeley, 2009), p. 

21, http://cet.berkeley.edu/dl/CET_Technical%20Brief_

EconomicModel2030_f.pdf.

5 Megan M. Barker, “Manufacturing Employment Hard Hit during 

the 2007-09 Recession,” Monthly Labor Review (U.S. Bureau of 

Conclusion

Electric vehicles are an important component of the 

growing green economy because they can reduce pollutants and dependence on fossil fuels. Jobs in the electric 

vehicles industry show great potential for new employment opportunities, and employment is expected to grow 

in all of the major sectors of the industry. In addition, 

jobs will be created as the electric infrastructure is 

expanded to support these vehicles. These new jobs will 

cover a wide variety of occupations. 

The growth of the electric vehicles industry is evident by the increasing number of electric vehicles purchased over the past decade, as well as new models being introduced by several manufacturers this year in the 

United States. As more electric vehicles are purchased, 

employment opportunities in the industry are expected to 

continue to grow.

Labor Statistics, April 2011), pp. 28–33, https://www.bls.gov/opub/

mlr/2011/04/art5full.pdf.

6 “Vehicle Technologies Program; Graduate Automotive Technology 

Education (GATE),” (U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 2010), http://www1.eere.energy.

gov/vehiclesandfuels/deployment/education/fcvt_gate.html.

7 “Service Hybrid Electric Vehicles–Safely!,” Alternative Fuel Technology (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, 2005) 

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/asearticles/servicehybelecvehicle.

html.

8 For more information see the National Alternative Fuels Training 

Consortium at http://www.naftc.wvu.edu.

9 “Electric Vehicles in the United States” (Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, University of California, Berkeley, 2009), 

p. 21, http://cet.berkeley.edu/dl/CET_Technical%20Brief_

EconomicModel2030_f.pdf.