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The differences between lead installers and solar installers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a lead installer and a solar installer. Additionally, a lead installer has an average salary of $59,596, which is higher than the $37,239 average annual salary of a solar installer.
The top three skills for a lead installer include HVAC, customer service and hand tools. The most important skills for a solar installer are renewable energy, ladders, and hand tools.
Lead installers are individuals who execute residential construction activities. The installers review the organization's blueprints with its sales, supervise the loading and unloading procedure, and manage the crew during the installation process. They set up and maintain the workstations, maintain the VoIP phone systems, and construct the cubicles for modular offices. The necessary skills for this job include customer service, knowledge of the installation process, and attention to detail. They are also expected to develop skills in communication, diligence, and the ability to follow instructions.
A solar installer is responsible for installing solar panels on building and household locations, ensuring that the methods and tools adhere to safety regulations and practices. Solar installers manage the maintenance and repair of the solar panels, requiring them to perform fieldwork and travel often. They also identify the measurement and compatibility of solar panels to the clients' locations before the installment proper. A solar installer must have excellent knowledge of the solar services to respond to the clients' inquiries and concerns accurately and resolve complaints.
Lead installers and solar installers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Installer | Solar Installer | |
| Average salary | $59,596 | $37,239 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $91,000 | Between $29,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | PFS | Black & Veatch |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead installer and a solar installer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Installer | Solar Installer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead installers' and solar installers' demographics:
| Lead Installer | Solar Installer | |
| Average age | 42 | 29 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 36.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 35.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 8% |