Solar Photovoltaic Installer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Solar Photovoltaic Installers Make?
Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn a median annual salary of $51,860 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,070 at the 10th percentile to $80,150 at the 90th percentile — a range of $41,080. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $103,880.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,070 |
| 25th percentile | $46,040 |
| Median (50th) | $51,860 |
| 75th percentile | $63,020 |
| 90th percentile | $80,150 |
Solar Photovoltaic Installer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Islandtop | $103,880 |
| Nevada | $66,090 |
| New Jersey | $64,670 |
| Vermont | $64,230 |
| Hawaii | $62,740 |
| California | $60,790 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Maryland | $58,420 |
| Kansas | $57,200 |
| Massachusetts | $55,010 |
| Michigan | $54,860 |
| Ohio | $53,640 |
| New York | $53,070 |
| Colorado | $51,740 |
| Arizona | $50,310 |
| South Carolina | $49,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,000 |
| Arkansas | $48,910 |
| Wisconsin | $48,440 |
| Virginia | $48,280 |
| Utah | $47,960 |
| North Carolina | $47,220 |
| New Mexico | $46,260 |
| Florida | $46,130 |
| Texas | $45,870 |
| Illinois | $44,890 |
| Indiana | $38,660 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Solar Photovoltaic Installer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,070 – $46,040 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$51,860 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$63,020 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,150+ |
How to Earn More as a Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Solar Photovoltaic Installers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $72,900 — $21,040 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($63,020) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Solar Photovoltaic Installer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Solar Photovoltaic Installerthis career | $51,860 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,320 |
| Energy Engineer | $117,750 |
| Wind Energy Engineer | $117,750 |
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SOC: 47-2231.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.