In his book "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America," occupational expert Laurence Shatkin weighs in on the top green technology jobs in the United States. His list compared three factors: income, job growth, and job openings.

"I looked at jobs that had to do with energy efficiency, with renewable energy, with saving money through recycling and other practices like that," he said. "We can't have a green economy without these people involved."

Here are the top 10 positions within green technology, according to Shatkin. Data are from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.