Salary

Average Salary: $61,960

Expected Lifetime Earnings: $2,586,706


When you work primarily with a utility like energy, you might think finding your way into a gig with the government would be the best move. When it comes to energy brokerage, though, the number of positions, the perks, and the working conditions are often better in private companies. They also happen to pay the best.

On average, an energy broker makes just over $51,000 per year (source). But, as with most jobs involving the word "broker," the keywords are location, location, and—you guessed it—location. The average salary for an energy broker in South Dakota is just over $35,000 per year, while the same job in Illinois pays around $66,000 (source). So be aware of that.

Most energy brokers work for firms, helping big companies and entire cities save money on their energy costs by finding the right supplier. Frostproof, Florida, might not need much help in the winter, but saving on their energy costs in summer is totally a thing. Even the citizens of Nimrod, Minnesota, know saving money on energy is important. If you want to be their energy broker, though, maybe take it easy on the nimrod puns.

While there are variations in salary, most energy brokers can expect to earn a standard benefits package―health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, and all the free (but usually awful) office coffee you can handle.