CDRjobs has released its annual CDR Salary Report, offering one of the clearest snapshots yet of how the carbon removal labor market is adjusting as the industry scales.
This year’s report draws from more than 4,000 data points – four times last year’s sample – covering job postings, employer compensation disclosures, and a global salary survey submitted by practitioners across the field.
The topline finding: the median global salary has edged down to roughly $100,000, a notable drop from last year’s $115,000 benchmark.
When US roles are excluded, the median falls even more sharply to $70,000, underscoring how compensation varies widely between established markets and emerging hubs. The authors suggest that a combination of economic uncertainty, rapid hiring in lower-pay regions, and a broadening mix of job types are all exerting downward pressure on pay.
Remote Work Declines as Deployment-Stage Hiring Picks Up
The dataset spans nearly 2,500 job openings across 233 companies in 27 countries, as well as salary submissions from 158 individuals worldwide.
Despite the large sample, transparency remains limited: just 28% of job listings include salary information, and fewer than half of tracked companies publicly disclose compensation data, both signs that pay visibility remains a challenge in the sector.
Geographically, the industry remains heavily concentrated. North America and Europe account for 88% of all carbon removal roles, while the Global South continues to be underrepresented both in hiring and in available salary data.
Relevant: The Rise Of Carbon Removal Jobs: A Look At The CDRjobs 2024 Salary Report
The report also highlights a shift in the types of positions being filled. Engineering remains the dominant category, but project management and project operations roles have expanded to make up more than a third of all listings, an indication that more companies are now moving from early-stage development to on-the-ground deployment.
That transition may also explain why remote opportunities have fallen by half compared to last year, with more employers requiring on-site work as facilities move closer to operation.
For independent professionals, the global median consulting rate lands at $47 per hour, providing a reference point for freelancers working across carbon removal disciplines.
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