Panel by panel, you're building the grid's next chapter.
Rooftop and utility-scale solar installation is one of the fastest-growing trades in the country — and it's still wide open. This guide breaks down real pay by experience level and what actually moves the number.
Solar Installation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this trade under "solar photovoltaic installers" — that category posted a median annual wage of $51,860 as of May 2024, the most recent OEWS data available. The BLS also projects employment growth of 42% from 2024 to 2034 — among the fastest-growing occupations in the entire U.S. economy.
Entry level ($18–23/hr) is where most people start in this trade — typically through a formal apprenticeship, trade school program, or on-the-job training under a journeyman.
Journeyman ($26–36/hr) is where independent, unsupervised work authority kicks in — the point where most of the trade's workforce sits.
Master / top end ($38–52+/hr) covers senior specialists and crew leads — the people called in when the job is too complex or too urgent for anyone else.
Large EPC contractors building utility-scale farms generally pay more than residential-only installers, with more consistent overtime.
The industry's top certification is the clearest way to prove skill and unlock lead-installer roles.
Installers who can also do electrical hookup work command a real premium over panel-only crews.
California, New York, and Massachusetts consistently pay the most, driven by installation volume and labor demand.
“You watch a roof go from bare shingles to a working power plant in a single shift.”
— A day in the life, Solar Installation
Two-way street. Workers get matched to real openings. Employers get first look at qualified solar installation talent before we go public with the board.
Jobs In SolarInstallation is one of 13 trade-specific sites in the Careers In Trades network.