🔧 Skilled Trades ↑ 22% growth · Much faster than average

Solar Panel Installer / Solar Technician

Solar installers mount photovoltaic systems on rooftops and ground-mount structures, wire inverters, and commission systems. Florida is one of the top 5 solar states — and the industry is projected to double by 2030.

$47,890 Median Salary

14K US Jobs

3 months–1 year Training

$2,000–$10,000 Typical Cost

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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Solar installers across residential and commercial settings typically earn $18–$32 per hour, with experienced lead installers and foremen earning $28–$45 per hour. Utility-scale solar field supervisors earn $55,000–$85,000. Commercial solar project managers earn $75,000–$115,000. NABCEP-certified solar installers earn above the median for their role. The California, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey markets pay the highest solar wages nationally. Travel to utility-scale projects with per diem and housing allows field workers to earn $70,000–$100,000 in high-demand periods.

Entry Level

$36,000

Median

$47,890

Experienced

$68,000

Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

22%

Projected Growth (10yr)

Much faster than average

14K

Total US Jobs

Active positions nationwide

NABCEP PV Installation Professional

Required Credential

NABCEP PV Installation Professional

Solar installers — encompassing residential, commercial, and utility-scale installation roles — form the growing workforce executing the US solar buildout. The BLS's solar installer occupation projection is among the fastest-growing of all occupations measured. Federal investment tax credits, state net metering policies, and corporate power purchase agreements are sustaining substantial solar project pipelines. Utility-scale solar projects — ground-mount arrays of 1 MW to 1 GW — require large installation crews and project supervisors. Commercial and industrial solar (C&I) is a growing segment where experienced installers earn above residential rates on complex commercial rooftop and carport systems.

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program

Solar PV Certificate (or apprenticeship)

Program Length

3 months–1 year

Typical Tuition

$2,000–$10,000

Work Setting

Residential, commercial, utility-scale solar farms

Solar installer training programs run 1–6 months at community colleges and trade schools, covering solar system design basics, rooftop and ground-mount installation, electrical safety, and NEC Article 690 code requirements. NABCEP PV Associate certification is an entry credential; the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) is the advanced designation. OSHA 10 safety, fall protection, and aerial lift certifications are required for commercial and residential solar installation. Many solar companies provide in-house training programs for new crew members. Electrician apprenticeship experience — even partial apprenticeship — is highly valued for commercial and industrial solar installations.

🏆 Credential Required: NABCEP PV Installation Professional

☀️ Day in the Life

A Solar Installer begins the commercial flat-roof installation day on a large warehouse building — a 250 kW ballasted ground-mount system on a TPO membrane roof. The installation plan requires precise layout of the ballast blocks and module rails before any panels are set. They operate a forklift to position pallets of solar panels and ballast blocks at roof access points, then work with the crew to carry and position each ballast frame according to the engineered drawing. Panel installation requires a two-person lift — one positions the panel, one clips it in and moves to the next. String cabling runs from the array in conduit to the rooftop combiner boxes, and home runs descend through the building to the inverter room where a master electrician is making the final utility interconnect connections. They verify the system communication setup — SolarEdge monitoring portal shows all modules reporting output — before completing the punch list and releasing for inspection.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

Exceptionally fast employment growth trajectory: Solar installer is consistently among the fastest-growing US occupations — employment demand is growing far faster than the overall economy.
Work with purpose in the clean energy economy: Solar installation is tangible clean energy work — installers see direct output from their labor in deployed renewable capacity.
Utility-scale travel work offers excellent short-term income: Traveling to large-scale solar farm construction with per diem, travel reimbursement, and overtime creates $70,000–$100,000+ annual income.
Electrician credential combination is the highest-value pathway: Combining solar installation experience with electrician licensure creates the strongest career foundation in the growing solar and storage market.
Low barrier to entry with fast initial training: Entry-level solar crew positions are accessible with basic physical capability and short safety training — early career solar income is achievable quickly.

Cons

Outdoor physical work in all weather conditions: Solar installation is outdoor work — summer heat, winter cold, and inclement weather are part of the regular work environment.
Policy and incentive sensitivity creates market volatility: Solar installation volumes rise and fall with federal and state policy incentives — employment can contract quickly if incentives change.
Entry-level wages are modest: Ground crew and entry-level solar installer wages are relatively modest — income growth requires certification, supervisory advancement, or electrician licensing.
Physical demands of panel and material handling: Carrying solar panels, pulling wire, lifting equipment onto roofs, and working in awkward positions throughout the day creates musculoskeletal strain.

📍 Perkinston, MS

Certificate 2-4yr

How to compare these options

Look for programs that align with the most common hiring path for Solar Panel Installer / Solar Technician in your state.
Ask whether graduates are prepared for any required credential, license, or employer screening step.
Compare cost, completion time, and schedule before making a final decision.