Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary

The median solar photovoltaic installers salary in the United States is $53,140 per year ($25.55/hour). Salaries range from $41,600 at the entry level to $79,970+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 31,350 solar photovoltaic installers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 42.1% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asSolar InstallerSolar Panel Installer
Median Salary
$53,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.55
per hour
Employment
31,350
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$41,600
25th percentile
$46,700
Median
$53,140
75th percentile
$62,870
90th percentile
$79,970

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+42.1%
Much faster than average

Annual Openings

4,100
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for solar photovoltaic installerss.

Solar PV installers mount racking, run conduit, land modules, terminate DC and AC wiring, commission inverters, and integrate energy storage on residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. The trade grew fast on the back of federal tax credits, and skilled installers with NEC 690 fluency and NABCEP credentials command premium pay. Entry $38-52k; established $52-72k; senior tech / lead $68-92k; foreman / crew lead $82-115k+. Utility-scale, battery storage, and commercial pay 15-25% above residential; union electricians in solar earn journey wages plus benefits.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

PV system components & array design
Modules, string vs microinverter architectures, MLPE (module-level power electronics), racking (ballasted, penetration, ground mount), DC combiner and disconnect. Understand what the drawings are calling out.
NEC Article 690 (Solar PV) and 705 (Interconnection)
Conductor sizing, OCPD requirements, rapid shutdown per 690.12, grounding and bonding, disconnect locations. NEC 2020 rapid shutdown initiator requirements are the modern residential PV baseline.
Racking & flashing installation
Composition shingle, tile, standing seam, TPO, ballasted on flat roofs. Correct flashing prevents leaks β€” leak callbacks are the #1 warranty cost.
DC and AC wiring, terminations, and torque
MC4 crimps, homerun conductors, AC combiner panels, and torque per manufacturer spec (documented for warranty). Improper torque is the #2 field defect.
Inverter commissioning (Enphase, SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius, Tesla)
Firmware update, grid parameter verification, monitoring setup, and utility interconnection compliance. Battery-integrated systems add BMS commissioning.
Battery storage integration (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, LG, Franklin)
Storage-ready panels, backed-up load subpanels, communication wiring, and inverter/battery pairing. Storage is the highest-margin add-on.
Safety & OSHA compliance
Fall protection (100% tie-off above 6 ft), ladders, hot electrical safety, PPE. Solar has one of the higher fall-related injury rates in construction; culture matters.

How to Become a Solar Photovoltaic Installers

  1. 1
    Meet baseline requirements
    18+, high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, ability to lift 50 lbs and work on roofs. OSHA 10 required to be on many jobsites; OSHA 30 for foremen. Clean driving record for company vehicle.
  2. 2
    Apply as a helper or trainee installer
    $17-22/hr entry. National residential installers (Sunrun, Freedom Solar, Sunnova networks) and local solar contractors hire trainees. Utility-scale contractors (Blattner, Mortenson, Bechtel Renewables) hire in seasonal waves.
  3. 3
    Complete OSHA 10, fall protection, and basic PV training
    Free or low-cost through NABCEP-affiliated schools, IREC, or state workforce boards. Most employers pay for or reimburse the training.
  4. 4
    Earn NABCEP Associate credential and specialty certifications
    NABCEP PV Associate is the entry industry credential and typically triggers a $2-4/hr pay bump. NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) is the mid-career standard. NABCEP PV Commissioning and PV System Inspector are specialty credentials with premium pay.
  5. 5
    Advance to Sr Installer / Lead / Foreman
    $28-42/hr or salaried. Own residential and commercial installs, lead crews, run commissioning, and handle utility interconnection paperwork. Many long-term careers move into commissioning, project management, sales design, or utility-scale supervision.

Career Progression

Trainee Installer / Helper
0-2 yrs$38-52k ($17-22/hr + overtime)
  • β€’Carry modules, mount racking, run conduit under supervision
  • β€’Work on residential rooftops with fall protection
  • β€’Learn MC4 terminations and torque specs
  • β€’Assist with commissioning and site cleanup
Next: Full Installer at 12-24 months once signed off on installs.
PV Installer (Established)
2-8 yrs$52-72k ($24-32/hr + overtime + weather bonus)
  • β€’Independent residential installs from racking through commissioning
  • β€’Basic commercial rooftop installs on a crew
  • β€’Complete AHJ inspections and utility interconnection paperwork
  • β€’Diagnose common commissioning faults
Next: Sr Installer or Crew Lead at 5-9 years.
Sr Installer / Crew Lead / Commissioning Tech
5-12 yrs$68-92k ($30-40/hr + overtime)
  • β€’Lead a 3-5 person residential or small commercial crew
  • β€’Own commissioning on commercial and battery storage projects
  • β€’Coach trainees and full installers
  • β€’Interface with AHJ and utility inspectors
Next: Foreman, Project Manager, or Sales Design at 8-14 years.
Foreman / Project Manager / Utility-Scale Supervisor
10+ yrs$82-115k+ salaried + vehicle + bonus
  • β€’Run crews of 6-25 installers on commercial or utility-scale projects
  • β€’Read prints, submit RFIs, coordinate with GC, EPC, and AHJ
  • β€’Own project P&L, change orders, and safety program
  • β€’Interface with developers and financiers on utility-scale
Next: Operations Manager, Director of Construction, or launch own solar contracting business.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through commissioning a residential PV system with a Tesla Powerwall.technical
Start with the physical install: modules mounted, racking torqued, DC combiner and inverter installed and grounded, Powerwall mounted with the required clearances, Gateway installed, and all AC and DC conductors terminated with documented torque. Power up in sequence β€” utility disconnect open first, PV DC last. Commission the inverter: firmware update, grid profile per utility, IEEE 1547 compliance verification. Commission the Powerwall via the Tesla app β€” internet connection, backup gateway configuration, backed-up load subpanel identification. Verify export limits per interconnection agreement. Test rapid shutdown. Walk with the customer and set up monitoring. Interviewers want to see the DC-to-AC sequence and understanding of interconnection compliance.
Q2. How would you diagnose an inverter that won't produce after install?technical
Check the basics first. DC input voltage at the inverter with a multimeter β€” is the string within the inverter's MPPT window? Then AC output β€” is the grid present and within utility parameters? Grounding β€” any ground fault flagged on the inverter? Check the inverter display or app for fault codes. Verify firmware is current. Check module-level MLPE if applicable (Enphase or SolarEdge optimizers). If it's rapid shutdown, verify the initiator is functional. If it's grid connection, verify the utility isn't rejecting the profile. Escalate to manufacturer tech support only after documenting what you've ruled out.
Q3. Describe a difficult install you led.behavioral
STAR with real detail. Situation: a 32 kW commercial rooftop on a 25-year-old TPO membrane with a tight 3-week schedule. Task: your role as lead installer. Action: coordinated with the roofing consultant on penetration flashing details, sequenced module install to follow the electrical rough-in, and pre-fabricated racking sections in the shop to speed field time. Result: passed AHJ and utility inspection first try; roof warranty preserved by using the specified flashing details. Interviewers want to hear sequencing and cross-trade coordination.
Q4. Why solar and not general electrical?culture
The honest answer that lands: you like the mix of hands-on install, high-voltage DC work, and system-level thinking. You want a trade with growth β€” utility-scale and battery storage are exploding. NABCEP creates a clear credential ladder. Avoid saying 'because I care about climate' as the only reason β€” the industry has plenty of mission but hires on skills. Name a specific mentor, project, or product that drew you in.
Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer
Show the tracks: senior installer with NABCEP PVIP, crew lead / foreman, commissioning specialist, sales design, or utility-scale supervision. Say which you're leaning toward and why. Naming a specific credential (NABCEP PVIP, PV Commissioning, EESA battery specialty) signals concrete depth.

Resume Template β€” PV Installer (2-8 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

PV Installer (2-8 yrs)
  • β–ΈInstalled and commissioned 145+ residential PV systems in FY24 including 42 with battery storage; zero commissioning callbacks.
  • β–ΈNABCEP PV Associate + OSHA 30 + Enphase Gold + Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer credentials.
  • β–ΈAveraged 3.2 residential systems per week; 98% first-pass AHJ inspection rate.
  • β–Έ$62k base + $8k overtime + $2k weather bonus + company vehicle + full benefits.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Fear of heights or unwilling to work on residential and commercial rooftops with fall protection.
  • βœ—Weak NEC knowledge β€” cannot cite 690 requirements for rapid shutdown or grounding.
  • βœ—Careless torque and MC4 crimp practice β€” the top field defects that cause callbacks and fires.
  • βœ—No willingness to work overtime during peak install season (spring/summer) and outside in weather.
  • βœ—Poor documentation β€” commissioning reports and torque records must be complete for warranty.
  • βœ—No fall protection culture β€” anti-hooking, skipping tie-off, poor ladder use disqualifies at reputable installers.
  • βœ—Any recent driving-record issues that fail commercial insurance for a company vehicle.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“NABCEP certifications drive pay ladders: Associate typically $2-4/hr, PVIP $4-7/hr, specialty (Commissioning, System Inspector, EESA) $6-10/hr.
  • βœ“Manufacturer certifications (Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla, Franklin, Generac) each add $1-3/hr and access to premium warranty work.
  • βœ“Union solar work through IBEW locals adds journey wages plus pension and health.
  • βœ“Utility-scale project premiums β€” per diem, travel pay, and long-hours OT add $15-40k/yr on top of base.
  • βœ“Company vehicle, phone, and tools worth $4-8k in effective value; take-home vehicle is negotiable.
  • βœ“Sign-on bonuses of $2,500-8,000 are common at national installers short on techs.
  • βœ“Weather and seasonal bonuses at national installers can add $2-5k during peak install months.

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Resume Review β€” $29

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Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$42K
$79Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

New Jersey
$79K
+49%
Hawaii
$70K
+32%
Nevada
$68K
+28%
Oregon
$66K
+25%
Ohio
$62K
+17%
Washington
$62K
+16%
Maine
$61K
+15%
California
$61K
+14%
Illinois
$60K
+12%
Massachusetts
$59K
+11%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
New Jersey$78,950+48.6%
Hawaii$70,370+32.4%
Nevada$67,810+27.6%
Oregon$66,320+24.8%
Ohio$62,400+17.4%
Washington$61,630+16.0%
Maine$61,210+15.2%
California$60,600+14.0%
Illinois$59,630+12.2%
Massachusetts$59,180+11.4%
1–10 of 32

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Kahului-Wailuku, HI$78,360+47.5%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$72,150+35.8%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$71,630+34.8%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$70,130+32.0%
Urban Honolulu, HI$69,940+31.6%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$69,550+30.9%
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV$67,810+27.6%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$66,320+24.8%
Salinas, CA$62,260+17.2%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$61,810+16.3%
1–10 of 51
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A solar photovoltaic installers earning $53,140/year would need 1122 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1204 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how solar photovoltaic installers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’