Energy Auditors
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 64%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Energy Auditors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 64% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 146,720 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $74,690 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 68% for contact with people.
- Also called: Building Performance Consultant, Building Science and Energy Specialist, Building Scientist, Energy Advisor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect or evaluate building envelopes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or process systems to determine the energy consumption of each system | 16% | 3% to 30% | |
| Prepare audit reports containing energy analysis results or recommendations for energy cost savings | 14% | 70% to 95% | |
| Identify and prioritize energy-saving measures | 7% | 45% to 85% | |
| Calculate potential for energy savings | 7% | 60% to 90% | |
| Collect and analyze field data related to energy usage | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Identify opportunities to improve the operation, maintenance, or energy efficiency of building or process systems | 4% | 45% to 85% | |
| Analyze technical feasibility of energy-saving measures, using knowledge of engineering, energy production, energy use, construction, maintenance, system operation, or process systems | 4% | 25% to 55% | |
| Recommend energy-efficient technologies or alternate energy sources | 4% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills energy auditors use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Wind Energy Development Managers55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $141,900
- Biofuels Production Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $126,060
- Biomass Power Plant Managers61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $126,060
- Environmental Restoration Planners63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,220
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Energy Auditors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of energy auditors?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of energy auditors today and 64% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-4011.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Energy Auditors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/energy-auditors/