US clean energy jobs fell by 36,949 in 2025, first drop since pandemic

US clean energy employment fell by 36,949 jobs in 2025 to 3.52 million, the first annual decline since the pandemic, according to E2's analysis of DOE data. The group links the drop to federal rollbacks of clean energy and EV support, with 142 projects canceled or downsized.

• 36,949 jobs lost — first annual decline since the pandemic
• Employment fell to 3.52 million, erasing nearly 40% of 2024 gains
• Losses hit 35 states; California shed about 21,000 jobs
• The broader US energy sector lost 86,000 jobs, clean energy 43% of that