According to a new study by Booz Allen Hamilton and the USGBC, green building will support 7.9 million jobs and pour $554 billion into the American economy over the next four years.  Of that, $396 billion will be attributable to wage growth in green building jobs.  Green construction spending currently supports 2 million American jobs, so we're talking about growth of nearly 400%!

In comparison, the USGBC said in a press release: "The economic impact of the total green construction market from 2000 to 2008 … contributed $178 billion to U.S. gross domestic product; created or saved 2.4 million direct, indirect and induced jobs; and generated $123 billion in wages." 

So the next four years will take this movement to a new level. 

Booz Allen Hamilton also examined 19,000 USGBC member organizations and calculated that they generate $2.6 trillion in annual revenue and employ roughly 14 million people.    

Speaking about the study in a press release, Gary Rahl, Officer at Booz Allen Hamilton, said “The study demonstrates that investing in green buildings contributes significantly to our nation's wealth while creating jobs in a range of occupations, from carpenters to cost estimators … In many ways, green construction is becoming the standard for development.   As a result, it is expected to support nearly 8 million jobs over the next five years.”

So we say, here are 7.9 million reasons to get involved in the green building industry.  Download the full report on the USGBC's Green Economy page or directly below:

[PDF] USGBC Green Jobs Study by Booz Allen Hamilton.
[PPT] USGBC Green Jobs Study Summary by Booz Allen Hamilton.