Skilled Trades & Construction career

Solar Panel Installer

Also called: Solar PV Installer · Solar Technician · PV Installer · Solar Installation Technician

What solar panel installers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a solar panel installer do?

Solar panel installers assemble, install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) systems on rooftops and ground mounts: mounting racking, setting panels, running wiring and helping connect systems to the grid. The median pay is $53,140 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–6 months, and employment is projected to grow +36.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $53,140
    $25.55/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +36.5%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    4,200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–6 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    31,100
    Employment, 2025

What solar panel installers do

Solar installers measure and lay out arrays, attach roof mounts and flash them watertight, install racking and modules, run conductors and conduit, and help commission systems. Depending on state law, final electrical connections are often made by or under a licensed electrician.

Most installers learn on the job, sometimes after a short technical course. It is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, though growth depends on policy and markets. Experience can lead to lead installer, site supervisor, designer or electrician roles.

Typical duties

  • Review site plans, permits and array layouts
  • Install roof attachments, flashing and racking systems
  • Mount and secure solar modules
  • Run conduit and wiring between modules, inverters and panels
  • Install inverters, optimizers or microinverters
  • Test system performance and troubleshoot problems
  • Follow fall protection and electrical safety procedures

Work environment and schedule

Installers work outdoors on rooftops and ground-mounted arrays, often in heat and sun. Work involves lifting panels, climbing ladders and working at heights with risks of falls, electrical shock and heat illness.

Schedule: Full-time, typically daytime. Hours can be long in good weather and shorter in bad weather or winter.

A day in the life

  1. Load modules, racking and fall-protection gear and review the roof plan.
  2. Set up anchors and harnesses, then find and mark rafters for attachments.
  3. Install flashed roof attachments and rails, checking alignment with a string line.
  4. Mount modules and connect microinverters, managing wires neatly under the array.

See a full day in the life of a solar panel installer →

Solar Panel Installer salary

Half of solar panel installers earned more than $53,140 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $41,600 for the lowest 10% to $79,970 for the top 10%.

Full solar panel installer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a solar panel installer

  1. Finish high school
  2. Get safety training
  3. Learn the basics
  4. Earn NABCEP credentials
  5. Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Many installers learn on the job; others take a short solar course at a community college or training center. Electrical connections often require a licensed electrician depending on state law.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a solar panel installer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Racking and module installation
  • Roof attachment and flashing
  • Basic DC and AC electrical theory
  • Conduit and wiring
  • System testing and commissioning

People skills

  • Teamwork
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer communication
  • Safety awareness

All solar panel installer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast entry with on-the-job training
  • Rapid long-term growth in clean energy
  • Work outdoors with visible results
  • Path to electrician, designer or project manager roles

Cons

  • Rooftop work in heat with fall hazards
  • Physically demanding lifting
  • Industry growth can swing with policy and incentives
  • Electrical work may require additional licensing

Certifications and licenses

  • NABCEP PV Associate: Entry-level credential showing foundational solar knowledge.
  • NABCEP PV Installation Professional: Advanced credential for experienced installers.
  • OSHA 10 Construction: Safety training often required by employers.
  • Electrician license: Required in many states to make electrical connections.

Career path

  1. Solar Installer Helper: Assist with racking, panels and wiring.
  2. Solar Installer: Install complete systems.
  3. Lead Installer or Site Supervisor: Run crews and quality control.
  4. Electrician, Designer or Project Manager: Move into licensed electrical work, design or management.

Learn the job before day one

Our Solar Panel Installer training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as set up roof fall protection and install flashed roof attachments, safety and how to land your first job.

View Solar Panel Installer trainingIs this career right for me?

Electrician

Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.

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Wind Turbine Technician

Climb, inspect, maintain and repair wind turbines that generate clean power.

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Electrical Lineworker

Build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground.

  • $95,320
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Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

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Compare: Solar Panel Installer vs. Electrician · Solar Panel Installer vs. Wind Turbine Technician · Solar Panel Installer vs. Lineworker · Solar Panel Installer vs. Carpenter

Solar Panel Installer FAQ

Do you need a license to install solar panels?

It depends on the state. Many states require a licensed electrician for electrical connections, and some require solar contractor licenses.

How fast is solar installer employment growing?

BLS projects solar photovoltaic installer employment to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, one of the fastest rates of any occupation, though from a small base.

Is solar installation a good path to becoming an electrician?

Yes. Many installers use solar experience to enter electrical apprenticeships.

How much does a solar panel installer make?

The median annual wage for solar panel installers was $53,140 ($25.55 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $41,600 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,970.

How long does it take to become a solar panel installer?

Most people need about 1–6 months of training. A high school diploma is typical. Many installers learn on the job; others take a short solar course at a community college or training center. Electrical connections often require a licensed electrician depending on state law.

Do you need a degree to be a solar panel installer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More solar panel installer questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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