Career comparison
Electrician Helper vs. Solar Panel Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Solar panel installers earn more at the median ($53,140 vs. $42,670), while electrician helpers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Electrician helpers help electricians pull wire, install conduit and wire buildings. 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
| Electrician Helper | Solar Panel Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $42,670 ($20.51/hr) | $53,140 ($25.55/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,020 – $58,340 | $41,600 – $79,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.6% (little or no change) | +36.5% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 6,100 | 4,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks on the job | 1–6 months |
| Key credential | OSHA 10 | NABCEP PV Associate |
| Work setting | Helpers work on residential, commercial and industrial sites.. | Installers work outdoors on rooftops and ground-mounted arrays, often in heat and sun. |
What each job does
Electrician Helper
- Pull wire
- Install conduit
- Mount boxes
- Drill holes
- Carry materials
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, teamwork, and physical work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician helper if…
- I want to be an electrician
- I’m careful
- I like hands-on 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 Electrician Helper fit quiz and the Solar Panel Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician helper or solar panel installer?
Solar Panel Installers earn more at the median: $53,140 versus $42,670 for electrician helpers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electrician Helpers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than solar panel installers (1–6 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects solar panel installers to grow +36.5% from 2025–35, compared with +0.6% for electrician helpers.