Solar Photovoltaic Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Construction and Extraction · SOC 47-2231 · O*NET 47-2231.00
Solar Photovoltaic Installers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn a median salary of $53,140 per year, ranking in the top 61% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +36.5% job growth through 2035, 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 parents should know about solar photovoltaic installers right now
If your teen loves working with their hands, is comfortable on a roof, and wants a paycheck without four years of college debt, solar photovoltaic installation is one of the strongest bets on the board right now. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, solar PV installers earned a median wage of $51,860 in May 2024, with the lowest tenth earning about $39,070 and the top tenth reaching roughly $80,150, so there is real room to grow as skills accumulate. What makes this field stand out is its trajectory: the BLS projects employment to grow 42.1 percent, making it one of the two fastest growing occupations in the country. Just as important, the barrier to entry is low. A high school diploma or GED plus on-the-job training, typically up to a year, is enough to start, and no license or degree is legally required to work as a crew installer, though most employers expect OSHA 10 safety training. The 2025 story is that artificial intelligence is reshaping the design and proposal side of the business rather than the physical install. The global solar AI market was about USD 5.96 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 18.43 billion by 2030, a 20.8 percent annual growth rate, with platforms now analyzing satellite imagery, roof geometry, and shading to auto-generate custom system layouts. That means crews spend less time on manual measurement and more time installing, and the industry's biggest constraint is a shortage of skilled labor, not weak demand. To prepare in high school, your teen should load up on math (especially geometry and basic algebra for panel layout and load calculations), take any shop, electronics, or physics classes offered, and consider a career and technical education track. Encourage OSHA 10 certification, a summer job in construction or roofing to build comfort with heights and tools, and, for anyone who wants to earn more, a plan to later pursue voluntary NABCEP certification or an electrician apprenticeship once on the job.
What do solar photovoltaic installers earn?
The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers is $53,140. That puts solar photovoltaic installers at #504 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.
Is solar photovoltaic installers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for solar photovoltaic installers is +36.5%, projected to grow far faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 31K positions in 2024 to 42K in 2034, a net change of 11K. Very fast growth indicates significant talent shortages and unusually strong hiring momentum — often the most resilient outlook a teenager can plan toward.
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.
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 $53,140 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is solar photovoltaic installers a growing career?
BLS projects +36.5% growth for solar photovoltaic installers from 2025 through 2035, 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 2025–2035 release.