Oregon was recently awarded a $1.25 million grant to collect data about green jobs. According to a survey by the Oregon Employment Department the sector is growing.

There were 51,402 green jobs in Oregon in 2008. Employers expect that number to increase 14% by 2010.

The survey of 10,000 employers found green jobs in every employment sector however they were slightly more concentrated in areas typically thought of as “blue collar” industries.

For the purposes of the study a green job was defined as one that, increases energy efficiency, produces renewable energy, restores the natural environment, provides education, consulting or similar services in any of these categories.

The average wage for green jobs in 2008 was $22.61 per hour. On average, green jobs had slightly higher wages than jobs across the entire economy, however the minimum education requirements closely mirrored the requirements for all jobs statewide. Nearly two thirds of all green jobs required no more than a high school education.

Many states in the US have conducted studies about green jobs, but Oregon is only the third state to ask employers to identify which of their employee’s jobs meet the definition of a green job. The Oregon Employment Department says it felt like this was the most accurate way to determine whether an individual job was a green job. Economists working on the project say they believe they got unbiased and accurate data.