### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			solar photovoltaic installers imagePV panels are placed on specially built framework.							
						Quick Facts:     Solar Photovoltaic Installers2023     Median Pay
            						$48,800     per year
										$23.46     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    29,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    22% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    6,600What Solar Photovoltaic Installers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most solar panel installations are done outdoors, but PV installers sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid. Installers also must travel to jobsites.
            
                                                How to Become a Solar Photovoltaic Installer
                                                
                        
Although installers typically need a high school diploma, some take courses at a technical school or community college. Installers typically receive on-the-job training lasting up to 1 year.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $48,800 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow							 22 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 3,500 openings for solar photovoltaic installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for solar photovoltaic installers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of solar photovoltaic installers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Solar Photovoltaic Installers Do 
            

			solar photovoltaic installers imageSolar photovoltaic installers usually work as part of a team.			
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, also known as *PV installers*, assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
Duties
PV installers typically do the following:
Plan PV system configurations based on customer needs and site conditions
Measure, cut, and assemble the support structure for solar PV panels
Install solar modules, panels, and support structures according to building codes and standards
Connect PV panels to the electrical system
Apply weather sealant to equipment being installed
Activate and test PV systems
Perform routine PV system maintenanceAt the jobsite, PV installers verify the measurements and design of the structure on which the PV system is being set up. For PV systems on flat roofs, PV installers must first add a structure that allows the PV system to be mounted at an angle. PV installers set up new systems on support structures and place PV panels or PV shingles on top of them. Once the panels are in place, they sometimes connect the panels to electrical components. After the system is in place, PV installers must test the system and its components.
PV installers use a variety of handtools and power tools, including drills, wrenches, saws, and screwdrivers, to set up PV panels and connect them to frames, wires, and support structures.
Depending on the job and state laws, PV installers may connect the solar panels to the electrical grid, although electricians sometimes do this task. Once the panels are set up, workers check the electrical systems for proper wiring, polarity, and grounding, and they also perform maintenance as needed.
 Work Environment
			solar photovoltaic installers imageSome photovoltaic installers place thin solar film on rooftops.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Solar photovoltaic installers held about 29,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of solar photovoltaic installers were as follows:
        Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors
                37%Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
                10Self-employed workers
                5Power and communication line and related structures construction
                5Utilities
                5Because photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, most PV installation is done outdoors. Residential installers work on rooftops but also sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid. PV installers who build solar farms work at ground level.
PV installers may work alone or as part of a team. Installation of solar panels may require the help of roofers and electricians.
Injuries and Illnesses
Solar photovoltaic installers risk falls from ladders and roofs, shocks from electricity, and burns from hot equipment and materials while installing and maintaining PV systems. To reduce the risk of injury, PV installers must wear safety equipment, such as harnesses, gloves, and hard hats.
 How to Become a Solar Photovoltaic Installer

			solar photovoltaic installers imageMost photovoltaic installers learn on the job working with experienced installers.			
There are multiple paths to becoming a solar photovoltaic (PV) installer, or *PV installer*. These workers typically need a high school diploma, but some take courses at a technical school or community college; they also receive on-the-job training lasting up to 1 year. Some PV installers learn to install panels as part of an apprenticeship.
Education
PV installers typically need a high school diploma. Some PV installers take courses at local community colleges or technical schools to learn about solar panel installation. Courses range from basic safety and PV knowledge to system design. Although course length varies, most usually last a few days to several months.
Some candidates, especially those with construction experience, enter the field by taking online training courses.
Training
Some PV installers learn their trade on the job by working with experienced installers. On-the-job training usually lasts between 1 month and 1 year. During training, PV installers learn about safety, tools, and PV system installation techniques.
Electrician and roofing apprentices and journey workers may complete photovoltaic-specific training modules through apprenticeships.
Solar PV system manufacturers may also provide training on specific products. Such training usually includes a system overview and proper installation techniques for the manufacturer’s products.
Military veterans may benefit from the Solar Ready Vets program, which is funded by the U.S Department of Energy and prepares veterans to connect with training and jobs in the solar industry.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Experience in construction may shorten a new employee’s training time. For example, workers with experience as an electrician, roofer, carpenter, or laborer typically already understand and can perform basic construction duties.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require a license for PV installers. Contact your state’s licensing board for more information.
PV installers must travel to jobsites, so employers may require them to have a driver’s license.
Although not required for employment, certification demonstrates competency in solar panel installation. The Electronics Technicians Association, International(ETA) and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offer certification for PV installers. Some states require that for projects to qualify for solar-related subsidies, all PV installers working on the projects must have certification.
Advancement
PV installers may advance to become a project supervisor or project manager after gaining experience in the trade. PV installers may also transition to sales roles within the industry, given their knowledge of and experience with PV installation. They also may choose to start their own PV installation business.
Important Qualities
***Ability to work at heights.***PV installers often must work on roofs, ladders, or lifts that are far above the ground.******
***Communication skills.*** PV installers need to convey information effectively to clients, team members, and other workers.
***Detail oriented.*** PV installers must carefully follow instructions to ensure that the system works properly.
***Math skills***. PV installers use algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to calculate angles, measurements, and areas.
***Mechanical skills.*** PV installers work with complex electrical and mechanical equipment in order to build support structures for solar panels, connect the panels to the electrical system, and troubleshoot problems.
***Physical stamina.*** PV installers are often on their feet carrying panels and other heavy equipment. Especially when installing rooftop panels, workers may need to climb ladders many times throughout the day.
***Physical strength.*** PV installers must lift heavy equipment and materials weighing up to 60 pounds.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Solar Photovoltaic InstallersMedian annual wages, May 2023Construction trades workers$52,000  Solar photovoltaic installers$48,800  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $48,800 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $73,560.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for solar photovoltaic installers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Utilities
                $50,660Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
                50,420Power and communication line and related structures construction
                49,780Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors
                49,560
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Solar Photovoltaic InstallersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Solar photovoltaic installers22%  Total, all occupations3%  Construction trades workers3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow				 22 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 3,500 openings for solar photovoltaic installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The continued expansion and adoption of solar PV systems is expected to create jobs for their installation and upkeep. As the cost of PV panels and shingles continues to decrease, more households are expected to take advantage of these systems, resulting in greater demand for the workers who install and maintain them. The increasing popularity of solar leasing plans—in which homeowners lease, rather than purchase, systems—should create additional demand, because homeowners no longer bear the upfront costs of installation.
Demand may be greatest in states and localities that provide incentives to reduce the cost of PV systems.
			

                        Employment projections data for     solar photovoltaic installers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Solar photovoltaic installers**
			47-2231
			29,400
			35,900
			22
			6,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Solar photovoltaic installers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of solar photovoltaic installers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Carpenters**
            Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $56,350**Masonry Workers**
            Masonry workers use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build structures.
            See How to Become One
            $53,010**Construction Laborers and Helpers**
            Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
            See How to Become One
            $44,310**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Glaziers**
            Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, and other fixtures in buildings.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $51,100**Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers**
            Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,300**Ironworkers**
            Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $60,780**Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters**
            Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,550**Roofers**
            Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings.
            No formal educational credential
            $50,030**Sheet Metal Workers**
            Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,780
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about accredited training programs, visit
American Solar Workforce
Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA)
Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
NCCER
For details about apprenticeships or other training opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, technical colleges, the state apprenticeship agency, local photovoltaic contractors, firms that employ PV installers, or local union–management apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about apprenticeships for solar photovoltaic installers, visit
IBEW–NECA Electrical Training Alliance
For career and industry resources, visit
The Solar Foundation
**CareerOneStop**
For a career video on PV installers, visit
Solar photovoltaic installers
Related Career Outlook Subjects
Construction
Green Jobs
Outdoors
Technology

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Solar Photovoltaic Installers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Solar Photovoltaic Installers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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