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Solar installer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$53,140median pay per year, or $25.55 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $41,600lowest 10% earn less
  2. $46,70025th percentile
  3. $53,140median
  4. $62,87075th percentile
  5. $79,970top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Solar installers, officially called solar photovoltaic installers, earned a median of $53,140 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+36.5%[2]
Openings per year
4,200[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do solar installers make?

The median pay for solar photovoltaic installers was $53,140 a year, or $25.55 an hour, in May 2025[1]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5]. The average for solar installers was $57,900 a year, or $27.84 an hour[8].

BLS percentile wages are boundaries, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $41,600 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $46,700[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $62,870, and the top 10% earned more than $79,970[4]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $20.00 and the 90th was $38.45[10].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $41,600
Median[1] $53,140
90th percentile[4] $79,970

These wages cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits to employers[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 32 states with published data, New Jersey had the highest median wage, $78,950[12]. Hawaii followed at $70,370, then Nevada at $67,810 and Oregon at $66,320[12]. South Dakota was the lowest of the 32, at $42,380[12]. Nevada had 100 jobs and South Dakota had 50[12].

California had the most jobs, 6,830, followed by Texas with 5,270 and Florida with 2,980[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont had the highest median, $72,150, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $71,630[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs of any metro area, 2,190, with a median of $70,130[15].

Show median pay in 32 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Jersey[12]$78,9501,880
Hawaii$70,370420
Nevada$67,810100
Oregon$66,320360
Ohio$62,40070
Washington$61,630n/a
Maine$61,21060
California$60,6006,830
Illinois$59,630n/a
Massachusetts$59,180620
Iowa$56,740180
New York$56,1601,230
Connecticut$55,590n/a
Arizona$51,1601,280
Florida$50,5502,980
South Carolina$50,490n/a
Kansas$49,990n/a
Utah$49,980770
Wisconsin$49,77090
Colorado$49,730620
Vermont$49,490250
Virginia$49,190n/a
New Mexico$48,490340
Texas$48,2405,270
Georgia$47,790n/a
Pennsylvania$47,7601,210
Michigan$47,080310
Indiana$46,140490
Maryland$45,430670
Arkansas$44,820n/a
North Carolina$43,860710
South Dakota$42,38050

How to become a solar installer

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience as typical, and moderate-term on-the-job training as the typical training[7]. BLS also says there are several paths into the job[16].

Manufacturers may also train workers on their own products[21]. Construction experience, such as work as an electrician, roofer, carpenter or laborer, may shorten training time[22].

A license is required in some states, so check with your state licensing board[23]. Employers may require a driver's license because installers travel to jobsites[24]. Certification is not required for employment, but some states require certified installers on projects that qualify for solar subsidies[25].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 37% said a post-secondary certificate was required[26] and 34% said a high school diploma or equivalent[26]. Another 14% said a bachelor's degree[26] and 11% said less than a high school diploma[26]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

What solar installers do

Solar installers assemble, install or maintain solar panel systems on roofs and other structures, following site assessments and plans[27]. O*NET lists these tasks, with the most important first[28]:

Where they work

Panels turn sunlight into power, so installation is mostly outdoors. Home installers work on rooftops and sometimes in attics and crawl spaces. Crews building solar farms work at ground level[29]. Installers may work alone or in teams, and roofers and electricians may help[30]. Work at heights is often required[31]. Risks include falls from ladders and roofs, electric shocks and burns, so safety gear such as harnesses, gloves and hard hats is needed[32]. Electrical contractors and similar firms were the largest employer group in 2025, at 39%[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of solar photovoltaic installers to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,100 to 42,400 jobs, a gain of about 11,300[2]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of about 31,350 jobs covers wage and salary workers only[34].

BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, an estimated 1.8% of workers leave the labor force and 6.7% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a diploma-level entry point and on-the-job training[7]. The median pay was a little above the all-occupations median[1][5]. Projected growth is far above the all-occupations rate[2][3]. The work involves heights and injury risks[31][32]. Pay differs by place, with a state median of $78,950 in New Jersey and $42,380 in South Dakota[12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solar installer make an hour?
The median wage was $25.55 an hour and the average was $27.84 in May 2025[1][8].
How long does it take to become a solar installer?
Learning on the job usually takes from 1 month up to 1 year[19]. Courses usually last a few days to several months[17].
What education do you need to be a solar installer?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[7].
Are solar installers in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 4,200 openings a year are expected[6].
What is the highest paying state for solar installers?
New Jersey had the highest median annual wage, $78,950, among 32 states with published data[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers in the US was $53,140 per year and $25.55 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Solar Photovoltaic Installers is projected to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,100 to 42,400 jobs (a change of +11,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Solar Photovoltaic Installers: 10th percentile $41,600, 25th percentile $46,700, 75th percentile $62,870, 90th percentile $79,970. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,200 openings for Solar Photovoltaic Installers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Solar Photovoltaic Installers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers was $57,900 per year and $27.84 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Solar Photovoltaic Installers: 10th percentile $20.00, 25th percentile $22.45, 75th percentile $30.23, 90th percentile $38.45. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Solar Photovoltaic Installers jobs: California 6,830; Texas 5,270; Florida 2,980; New Jersey 1,880; Arizona 1,280. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,150; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $71,630; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $70,130; Urban Honolulu, HI $69,940; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $66,320; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $61,810; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $61,340; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $61,020. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Solar Photovoltaic Installers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,190 (median $70,130); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,930 (median $59,600); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 1,700 (median $26,860); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,620 (median $47,060); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,570 (median $48,350); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 1,000 (median $51,200). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 47-2231.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 37%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 34%, Bachelor's Degree 14%, Less than a High School Diploma 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET description of Solar Photovoltaic Installers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Solar Photovoltaic Installers. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of solar photovoltaic installers in 2025: Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors 39%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 31,350 people were employed as Solar Photovoltaic Installers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Solar Photovoltaic Installers: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.