Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Solar photovoltaic installers focus on work that supports solar power systems, combining mechanical skills, physical stamina, and attention to detail. Nationally, this occupation has a median annual salary of $51,860 and employment of about 29,000 workers. Projected employment growth of 42.1%, along with 4,000 annual openings, points to strong future demand. The role suits people who like hands-on, physically active work and who can apply mechanical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities. Success also depends on being detail oriented and having fine motor skills, since precise work is important. Customer service, leadership, and project management skills matter as well, especially when working on teams or interacting with clients. With opportunities across multiple states and metro areas and a typical education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent, this career can appeal to new workers and career changers who want to build skills in a growing field without a long educational path.
Solar photovoltaic installers earn a national median annual salary of $51,860, with pay varying across states and metro areas. Among top states, California stands out with a median of $60,600, followed by Massachusetts at $59,180 and New York at $56,160. Colorado and Maryland show somewhat lower median salaries of $49,730 and $45,430, respectively. At the metro level, some areas offer notably higher median pay. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro has a median salary of $72,150, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $71,630. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro is close behind at $70,130. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA show medians of $59,400 and $59,600. These figures suggest that earnings can be higher in certain metros and states, giving workers options to target locations that align with their income goals and personal preferences.
Solar photovoltaic installers have a national employment level of 29,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 42.1%. This high projected growth indicates that jobs in this occupation are expected to expand significantly over the projection period. In addition to growth, there are 4,000 annual openings, reflecting a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles. Together, these numbers point to a labor market with both expanding opportunities and ongoing replacement needs. For job seekers and career changers, this means there may be a steady flow of positions to pursue across different regions and employers. The combination of a defined national workforce, strong projected growth, and consistent annual openings can make this occupation attractive to individuals who want to enter a field where demand is expected to increase and where there are recurring chances to move into new roles over time.
Location plays a major role in the opportunity profile for solar photovoltaic installers. At the state level, California ranks highly, with a median salary of $60,600, employment of 6,830, projected growth of 42.1%, and the highest opportunity score among listed states at 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also offer relatively high median salaries ($59,180 and $56,160) and strong opportunity scores above 65. Colorado and Maryland show lower median pay, at $49,730 and $45,430, and somewhat lower opportunity scores, but still share the same 42.1% projected growth rate. Metro data highlights especially strong markets. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both combine high median salaries (over $70,000) with very high opportunity scores above 77. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro also stands out for its $72,150 median salary and strong score. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA provide sizable employment bases and solid opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple geographic options.
The typical education requirement for solar photovoltaic installers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce or change careers without completing a lengthy postsecondary program. While formal education requirements are modest, the role draws on a broad mix of skills. Mechanical ability, physical strength and stamina, and fine motor skills support the hands-on nature of the work. Being detail oriented helps ensure accuracy and quality. Mathematics and science skills are also important, along with problem solving and decision making, which help workers address challenges on the job. Customer service and leadership skills matter when interacting with clients and coordinating with team members, while project management skills support organizing tasks and schedules. Together, these skills provide a foundation for long-term growth and versatility within the occupation, allowing workers to handle both technical tasks and collaborative responsibilities effectively.
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