Career comparison
Electrician vs. Solar Panel Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electricians earn more at the median ($63,190 vs. $53,140), while solar panel installers usually get to work faster (1–6 months of training). Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code. 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 | Solar Panel Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $53,140 ($25.55/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $108,510 | $41,600 – $79,970 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.2% (much faster than average) | +36.5% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 72,700 | 4,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 1–6 months |
| Key credential | Journeyman electrician license | NABCEP PV Associate |
| Work setting | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. | Installers work outdoors on rooftops and ground-mounted arrays, often in heat and sun. |
What each job does
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
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, physical work, teamwork, and working outdoors. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
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 fit quiz and the Solar Panel Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician or solar panel installer?
Electricians earn more at the median: $63,190 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 electricians (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects solar panel installers to grow +36.5% from 2025–35, compared with +9.2% for electricians.