How much does a solar panel installer make?
a year · about $26 an hour
A typical solar panel installer in the United States makes $53,140 a year, about $26 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They measure and assemble supports, secure panels, connect wiring, seal out weather, and test the system. Most work outdoors, often on rooftops; solar-farm crews install panels at ground level.
Did you know? Some U.S. solar installers squeeze into attics and crawl spaces to connect rooftop panels to the electrical grid.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $41,600 and $79,970How do you become one?
In the U.S., most solar panel installers finish high school or an equivalent; some also study at a technical school or community college. They usually learn on the job for up to a year; some states require a license, and certification can show their skills.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and useful certifications or state-required licenses can affect pay. Pay can also differ by location, employer type—such as an electrical contractor or utility—and how complex the work is.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($78,950), lowest in North Carolina ($43,860).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41,600 | $53,140 | $79,970 | about 31,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $78,950 | about 2,000 |
| California | $60,600 | about 7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $59,180 | about 620 |
| New York | $56,160 | about 1,000 |
| Arizona | $51,160 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. Excludes solar PV electricians who are included in “Electricians” (47-2111) and solar thermal installers who are included in “Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters” (47-2152).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2231.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY