Career comparison
Electrical Lineworker vs. Solar Panel Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electrical lineworkers earn more at the median ($95,320 vs. $53,140), while solar panel installers usually get to work faster (1–6 months of training). Electrical lineworkers build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground. Solar panel installers install and maintain rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy systems.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrical Lineworker | Solar Panel Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,320 ($45.83/hr) | $53,140 ($25.55/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $51,470 – $128,690 | $41,600 – $79,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +10.3% (much faster than average) | +36.5% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 10,900 | 4,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | 1–6 months |
| Key credential | Journeyman lineworker | NABCEP PV Associate |
| Work setting | Lineworkers work outdoors in all weather, at heights and around high-voltage electricity. | Installers work outdoors on rooftops and ground-mounted arrays, often in heat and sun. |
What each job does
Electrical Lineworker
- Install and maintain overhead and underground power lines
- Climb poles and operate bucket trucks and digger derricks
- Replace transformers, insulators, crossarms and conductors
- Restore power after storms and emergencies
- Follow switching orders and isolate and ground lines
Solar Panel Installer
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrical lineworker if…
- Heights don’t bother me
- I can follow strict safety procedures every single time
- I’m physically strong and like demanding work
Choose solar panel installer if…
- I like working outside and on rooftops
- Heights don’t bother me
- I’m interested in clean energy
Still torn? Take the Electrical Lineworker fit quiz and the Solar Panel Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrical lineworker or solar panel installer?
Electrical Lineworkers earn more at the median: $95,320 versus $53,140 for solar panel installers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Solar Panel Installers typically train faster (1–6 months) than electrical lineworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects solar panel installers to grow +36.5% from 2025–35, compared with +10.3% for electrical lineworkers.