How much does a solar panel installer make?
The median solar panel installer in the United States earns $51,860 per year, about $24.93 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all solar panel installers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2231.
Solar panel installer salary range
Pay for solar panel installers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,070 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $80,150. The average (mean) wage of $57,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,070 | $18.79 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,040 | $22.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,860 | $24.93 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,020 | $30.30 | |
| 90th percentile | $80,150 | $38.53 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for solar photovoltaic installers (SOC 47-2231), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Solar panel installer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Solar panel installers earn the most in Rhode Island at $103,880 a year, and the least in Indiana at $38,660. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $103,880 | N/A |
| Nevada | $66,090 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $64,670 | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $64,230 | 60 |
| Hawaii | $62,740 | 370 |
| California | $60,790 | 8,970 |
| Oregon | $58,720 | 240 |
| Maryland | $58,420 | 490 |
| Kansas | $57,200 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $55,010 | N/A |
| Michigan | $54,860 | 90 |
| Ohio | $53,640 | N/A |
| New York | $53,070 | N/A |
| Colorado | $51,740 | 650 |
| Arizona | $50,310 | 1,360 |
| South Carolina | $49,300 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,000 | 650 |
| Arkansas | $48,910 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $48,440 | 230 |
| Virginia | $48,280 | 1,110 |
| Utah | $47,960 | 540 |
| North Carolina | $47,220 | 730 |
| New Mexico | $46,260 | 200 |
| Florida | $46,130 | 1,940 |
| Texas | $45,870 | 5,370 |
| Illinois | $44,890 | 200 |
| Indiana | $38,660 | 660 |
State median wages for solar photovoltaic installers (SOC 47-2231), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for solar panel installers
The BLS projects employment of solar panel installers to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 42,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year for solar panel installers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a solar panel installer
The typical entry-level education for solar panel installers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a solar panel installer earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Rhode Island, $103,880) and the lowest (Indiana, $38,660) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 28,280 people work as solar panel installers in the United States. At $51,860 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Solar panel installer salary FAQ
How much does a solar panel installer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a solar panel installer is $24.93. The middle half of solar panel installers earn between $22.13 and $30.30 per hour.
What is the highest solar panel installer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of solar panel installers earn more than $80,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a solar panel installer make a year?
The median annual salary for a solar panel installer is $51,860. The average (mean) wage of $57,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a solar panel installer a well paid job?
At $51,860 a year, a solar panel installer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 28,280 people work as solar panel installers in the United States.
Which state pays solar panel installers the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median salary for solar panel installers at $103,880 a year. Nevada ($66,090) and New Jersey ($64,670) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a solar panel installer a good career?
Employment of solar panel installers is projected to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a solar panel installer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for solar panel installers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Construction & Trades salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.