Occupation · SOC 47-4011.01
Energy Auditors
Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.
Median wage
$72,120
$46,560–$112,320
Projected growth
-0.8%
Declining
Annual openings
-120
per year
Employed (US)
137,210
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
48 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisActive LearningTime ManagementService OrientationPersuasionOperations MonitoringLearning StrategiesCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisOperations AnalysisNegotiationInstructingScienceOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceRepairing
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalPhysicsEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingDesignEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentProduction and ProcessingChemistryTransportationCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsPsychologyGeographyPersonnel and Human ResourcesBiologySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
ACCA Manual JAbraxas Energy Consulting MetrixAdobe PhotoshopArchitectural Energy Corporation ENFORMA Building DiagnosticsArchitectural Energy Corporation REM/RateAutodesk AutoCADC++Computer aided design CAD softwareCool Roof CalculatorCustomer relationship management CRM softwareDesignBuilder Software DesignBuilderEffTec EffTrackEkotrope RATERElite Software Energy AuditEnercom Energy Depot for BusinessEnercom Energy Depot for HomesEnergy Efficient Rehab AdvisorEnergyPlusEsri ArcGISFacility Energy Decision Systems FEDSFederal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant FRESAFielding Data Labs OptoMizerFundamental Objects foAuditsGood Steward Software EnergyCAPHome Energy Efficient Design HEEDIBM SPSS StatisticsInterEnergy Software Building Energy Analyzer PROItron Enterprise Energy Management EEM SuiteLinuxMicrosoft .NET FrameworkMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Visual Basic
Representative tasks
Getting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleSelling or Influencing OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentAssisting and Caring for Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Building envelope components such as walls, windows, and insulation — identify and describe under direct supervisor guidance during introductory field inspections.Basic energy-consumption data — collect and record using standard forms and checklists while shadowing a senior auditor on residential or light-commercial sites.Mechanical and electrical systems in simple buildings — recognize and categorize by function under close supervision during structured walkthroughs.Health and safety hazards related to weatherization work — identify common risks such as mold, asbestos, or combustion appliances following established safety protocols.Simple energy savings calculations — perform using provided formulas and spreadsheet templates under direct oversight on single-family residential projects.Energy audit software and data entry interfaces — operate basic functions to log field measurements and retrieve building records with guidance from experienced staff.Audit report templates — populate with field-collected data and draft preliminary findings under direct review by a senior auditor.Customer and building-owner interactions — conduct courteous introductory conversations to explain the audit process and gather baseline utility information.Priority energy-saving opportunities — recognize obvious measures such as air sealing or lighting upgrades by applying training criteria to straightforward residential cases.Engineering and construction terminology — read and comprehend standard technical documents, equipment specifications, and utility bills relevant to entry-level audit assignments.
developing
Energy-saving measures across residential and small commercial buildings — identify, rank, and prioritize based on cost-effectiveness and feasibility with limited supervisory review.Mechanical, electrical, and building envelope systems — inspect and evaluate independently to determine energy consumption patterns on routine commercial and multifamily sites.Audit reports with energy analysis results and cost-saving recommendations — prepare clearly written documents that meet program requirements and client expectations without close oversight.Potential energy savings — calculate using industry-standard tools and software such as blower door results, utility bill analysis, and energy modeling inputs on familiar building types.Technical feasibility of weatherization measures — analyze by applying knowledge of construction, mechanical systems, and local energy costs in standard audit contexts.Health and safety concerns including combustion safety, moisture issues, and electrical hazards — assess and document before recommending weatherization measures on occupied residential properties.Building management system controls and demand-response equipment — examine on commercial sites and evaluate whether installation could reduce peak electricity consumption.Maintenance and operational improvements — identify and communicate practical recommendations for HVAC, lighting, and process systems to facility managers during routine audits.Geographic information and database software — use to retrieve building records, map audit sites, and track program progress across an assigned portfolio of properties.Client communication — deliver verbal explanations of audit findings using clear, non-technical language adapted to homeowner or small-business-owner audiences.
proficient
Complex energy-saving measures across diverse building types — identify, validate, and prioritize autonomously using engineering judgment, energy production data, and lifecycle cost analysis.Building envelopes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and process systems — inspect and evaluate comprehensively on large commercial or industrial facilities to produce detailed consumption profiles.Technical feasibility of advanced efficiency upgrades — analyze independently by integrating knowledge of thermodynamics, engineering, construction methods, and system interdependencies.Comprehensive audit reports with actionable recommendations — author professionally for varied stakeholders including property owners, utilities, and government program administrators.Energy savings potential — calculate using analytical and simulation software with high accuracy, validating model assumptions against measured field data on non-routine projects.Peak-demand reduction opportunities — examine commercial sites and determine the technical and economic feasibility of demand-response equipment and smart building system integration.Non-routine health and safety scenarios — evaluate and resolve including complex combustion safety failures, hazardous materials presence, and structural concerns affecting weatherization scope.Operation and maintenance improvements — identify systemic inefficiencies in building or process systems and develop detailed corrective recommendations independently.Systems analysis and evaluation methods — apply to assess whole-building energy performance, diagnose root causes of inefficiency, and validate post-retrofit savings across a project portfolio.Mathematical and engineering modeling — execute advanced calculations for heat load, infiltration, lighting power density, and equipment efficiency ratings to support audit findings.
advanced
Organization-wide audit methodology and quality standards — develop, document, and implement to ensure consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all audit programs.Energy efficiency strategy for large-scale commercial or utility portfolios — lead development of multi-year roadmaps that align audit findings with capital planning and sustainability goals.Technical staff and junior auditors — mentor, train, and evaluate using structured learning strategies and field coaching to build organizational audit capacity.Energy audit program performance — monitor systemically across dozens of projects, identify trends and systemic gaps, and direct corrective action at the program level.Stakeholder and executive audiences — persuade and influence through authoritative presentations of audit results, policy implications, and investment-grade recommendations.Cross-functional coordination — lead collaboration among engineers, contractors, utility program managers, and government agencies to execute large-scale energy efficiency initiatives.Emerging technologies and best practices — evaluate and integrate into organizational audit frameworks, including advanced building analytics, IoT sensors, and AI-driven energy modeling platforms.Peak-demand and grid-interactive building programs — design participation strategies for commercial clients and represent the organization in utility or regulatory program negotiations.Enterprise data systems including ERP, CRM, and GIS platforms — oversee configuration and use to track audit pipelines, measure program outcomes, and report portfolio-level energy savings.Policy and market context for energy efficiency — analyze regulatory, economic, and technological trends to position the organization's audit services and advise senior leadership on strategic direction.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Building Performance ConsultantBuilding Science and Energy SpecialistBuilding ScientistCommercial Energy AuditorCommercial Energy RaterEnergy AdvisorEnergy AnalystEnergy and Building Systems SpecialistEnergy Audit AdvisorEnergy AuditorEnergy Conservation RepresentativeEnergy Conservation TechnicianEnergy ConsultantEnergy Control OfficerEnergy Efficiency AnalystEnergy Efficiency ConsultantEnergy Efficiency EngineerEnergy Efficiency Program ManagerEnergy Efficiency SpecialistEnergy Project ConsultantEnergy RaterEnergy SpecialistHome Energy AuditorHome Energy InspectorHome Energy RaterHome Performance ConsultantRenewable Energy AnalystRenewable Energy ConsultantResidential Energy AuditorResidential Energy ConsultantSolar Energy Consultant