# How to Become a Solar Installer

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, install, and maintain rooftop and ground-mounted solar panel systems. Median pay is **$53,140 per year** ($25.55/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$53,140/year ($25.55/hour)
      Entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalent
      Training pathModerate-term on-the-job training; NABCEP certification helps
      Job outlook37% growth 2025-35, among the fastest of any occupation
      Jobs in the US31,000+

## The path in, step by step

- Most installers start with no experience; employers train on the job in a few months.
- A NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification meaningfully raises pay and hiring odds.
- Learn basic electrical work; the best-paid installers handle the electrical tie-in, not just panel mounting.
- Commercial and utility-scale projects pay more than residential rooftop crews.

## How long it takes

A few months to employable; 1 to 2 years to lead installer.

## What it costs

Usually zero; employers train. NABCEP exam fees are a few hundred dollars.

## What working tradespeople say

- The growth rate is real but the base is small; pick employers with commercial pipelines for stability.
- Roof work in summer heat is brutal; it is the main reason for turnover.
- Pair solar with battery storage skills; that is where residential margins are heading.
- Electrical license ambitions turn this entry trade into an electrician career.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

## More trade guides

- [**Electrician**$63,190/yr median](/trades/electrician/)
- [**Plumber**$63,800/yr median](/trades/plumber/)
- [**HVAC Technician**$61,010/yr median](/trades/hvac-technician/)
- [**Welder**$53,750/yr median](/trades/welder/)
- [**Carpenter**$60,580/yr median](/trades/carpenter/)
- [**Auto Mechanic**$50,620/yr median](/trades/auto-mechanic/)
- [**Ironworker**$62,780/yr median](/trades/ironworker/)
- [**Truck Driver (CDL)**$58,640/yr median](/trades/truck-driver/)
- [**Boilermaker**$76,410/yr median](/trades/boilermaker/)
- [**Elevator Installer**$109,910/yr median](/trades/elevator-installer/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does solar installer pay?

The national median is $53,140 per year ($25.55/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a solar installer?

A few months to employable; 1 to 2 years to lead installer.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.