Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $53,140 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,200 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $53,140 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,200 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,200 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 They 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 $53,140 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,200 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.
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 $53,140 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,200 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.