SalariesWhat the occupation covers
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. Excludes solar PV electricians who are included in “Electricians” (47-2111) and solar thermal installers who are included in “Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters” (47-2152).
Official definition from the Standard Occupational Classification, code 47-2231.
The pay range
Pay differs a lot inside one occupation, with experience, employer and place. The table shows where the lines fall.
| Share of workers | A year | A month* | A week* | An hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn less than | $41,600 | $3,467 | $800 | $20.00 |
| Lowest 25% earn less than | $46,700 | $3,892 | $898 | $22.45 |
| Median (half earn less, half more) | $53,140 | $4,428 | $1,022 | $25.55 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $62,870 | $5,239 | $1,209 | $30.23 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $79,970 | $6,664 | $1,538 | $38.45 |
* Month and week are the yearly figure divided by 12 and by 52, worked out here for convenience. BLS publishes the yearly and hourly figures.
How it compares
The median for all occupations in the United States was $50,980 a year. The median for Solar Photovoltaic Installers is $53,140, which is 4% higher. Among the 60 occupations of the field Construction and Extraction, it ranks number 38 by median pay. With 31,350 jobs, it makes up about 2.0 of every 10,000 jobs in the country.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers pay by state
The highest median pay was in New Jersey ($78,950), Hawaii ($70,370) and Nevada ($67,810). The lowest was in Puerto Rico ($26,860), South Dakota ($42,380) and North Carolina ($43,860). The most jobs were in California (6,830), Texas (5,270) and Florida (2,980). The occupation is most concentrated in Puerto Rico, where its share of all jobs is 10.0 times the national share.
No state matches.
| State | Jobs | Median a year | Average a year | Median an hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1,880 | $78,950 | $78,690 | $37.96 |
| Hawaii | 420 | $70,370 | $73,000 | $33.83 |
| Nevada | 100 | $67,810 | $70,830 | $32.60 |
| Oregon | 360 | $66,320 | $71,390 | $31.88 |
| Ohio | 70 | $62,400 | $59,010 | $30.00 |
| Washington | not published | $61,630 | $58,030 | $29.63 |
| Maine | 60 | $61,210 | $64,350 | $29.43 |
| California | 6,830 | $60,600 | $63,280 | $29.14 |
| Illinois | not published | $59,630 | $62,480 | $28.67 |
| Massachusetts | 620 | $59,180 | $61,910 | $28.45 |
| Iowa | 180 | $56,740 | $56,890 | $27.28 |
| New York | 1,230 | $56,160 | $56,940 | $27.00 |
| Connecticut | not published | $55,590 | $55,290 | $26.73 |
| Arizona | 1,280 | $51,160 | $54,170 | $24.60 |
| Florida | 2,980 | $50,550 | $54,780 | $24.30 |
| South Carolina | not published | $50,490 | $54,980 | $24.27 |
| Kansas | not published | $49,990 | $51,210 | $24.04 |
| Utah | 770 | $49,980 | $54,960 | $24.03 |
| Wisconsin | 90 | $49,770 | $58,150 | $23.93 |
| Colorado | 620 | $49,730 | $54,510 | $23.91 |
| Vermont | 250 | $49,490 | $55,730 | $23.79 |
| Virginia | not published | $49,190 | $53,160 | $23.65 |
| New Mexico | 340 | $48,490 | $53,810 | $23.31 |
| Texas | 5,270 | $48,240 | $52,500 | $23.19 |
| Georgia | not published | $47,790 | $51,030 | $22.98 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,210 | $47,760 | $50,680 | $22.96 |
| Michigan | 310 | $47,080 | $50,520 | $22.63 |
| Indiana | 490 | $46,140 | $49,310 | $22.18 |
| Maryland | 670 | $45,430 | $51,540 | $21.84 |
| Arkansas | not published | $44,820 | $48,710 | $21.55 |
| North Carolina | 710 | $43,860 | $47,420 | $21.09 |
| South Dakota | 50 | $42,380 | $53,180 | $20.37 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,890 | $26,860 | $27,040 | $12.91 |
Sorted by median pay, highest first. "Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for the state, usually because too few employers were surveyed. "$239,200 or more" is the highest value BLS reports in the state tables.
Similar occupations by pay
- Tile and Stone Setters$55,690 a year
- Roofers$55,440 a year
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$53,340 a year
- Paperhangers$52,140 a year
- Floor Sanders and Finishers$50,440 a year
- Carpet Installers$50,340 a year
Common questions
How much do Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn in the United States?
The median pay was $53,140 a year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $41,600 and the highest-paid 10% more than $79,970.
How many people work as Solar Photovoltaic Installers?
About 31,350 jobs in the United States in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.