Solar Photovoltaic Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Construction and Extraction · SOC 47-2231 · O*NET 47-2231.00
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.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn a median salary of $51,860 per year, ranking in the top 59% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +42.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do solar photovoltaic installers earn?
The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers is $51,860. That puts solar photovoltaic installers at #480 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $39,070 |
| 25th percentile | $46,040 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,860 |
| 75th percentile | $63,020 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,150 |
| Median hourly wage | $24.93/hr |
Is solar photovoltaic installers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for solar photovoltaic installers is +42.1%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 28K positions in 2024 to 40K in 2034, a net change of 12K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.
What do solar photovoltaic installers do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working solar photovoltaic installers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
- 2.Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
- 3.Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials.
- 4.Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems.
- 5.Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
- 6.Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment.
- 7.Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.
- 8.Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources.
Top skills for solar photovoltaic installers
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become solar photovoltaic installer?
Solar Photovoltaic Installers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about solar photovoltaic installers
What is the median salary for solar photovoltaic installers?
The median annual salary for solar photovoltaic installers is $51,860 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is solar photovoltaic installers a growing career?
BLS projects +42.1% growth for solar photovoltaic installers from 2024 through 2034, which is very fast growth projected to grow far faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become solar photovoltaic installer?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to solar photovoltaic installers?
Related occupations within the Construction and Extraction category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.