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The salary for a solar panel installer averages around $37,985 annually, translating to about $18 per hour. Factors influencing this salary include location, experience, and the specific industry. For instance, solar installers in states like California and New Jersey tend to earn more due to higher demand and cost of living. Additionally, specialized roles in larger companies may offer better compensation.
Career Opportunities: As the shift towards renewable energy continues, the demand for skilled installers is expected to rise. This presents significant job opportunities across various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial installations. Many employers also offer training programs, enhancing skills and increasing earning potential.
For those looking to maximize their income, exploring roles in regions with the highest demand and salaries can be advantageous. Overall, the solar panel installation field not only offers competitive pay but also contributes to a sustainable future.
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The highest-paying states for solar panel installers are Alaska, Washington, and Massachusetts. The lowest average solar panel installer salary states are Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $42,532 | $20.45 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $42,443 | $20.41 |
| 3 | Arizona | $42,326 | $20.35 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $43,053 | $20.70 |
| 5 | Vermont | $43,773 | $21.04 |
| 6 | Utah | $40,764 | $19.60 |
| 7 | Washington | $44,074 | $21.19 |
| 8 | Montana | $40,419 | $19.43 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $42,454 | $20.41 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $43,598 | $20.96 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $42,358 | $20.36 |
| 12 | California | $42,680 | $20.52 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $42,778 | $20.57 |
| 14 | Delaware | $43,068 | $20.71 |
| 15 | Virginia | $42,250 | $20.31 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $43,936 | $21.12 |
| 17 | Ohio | $39,698 | $19.09 |
| 18 | Iowa | $38,987 | $18.74 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $40,554 | $19.50 |
| 20 | Alaska | $44,348 | $21.32 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $40,085 | $19.27 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $39,754 | $19.11 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $39,235 | $18.86 |
| 24 | Maryland | $40,479 | $19.46 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $37,454 | $18.01 |
| 26 | Colorado | $38,672 | $18.59 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $39,867 | $19.17 |
| 28 | Missouri | $39,357 | $18.92 |
| 29 | New York | $39,838 | $19.15 |
| 30 | Illinois | $39,197 | $18.84 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $42,575 | $20.47 |
| 32 | Idaho | $35,979 | $17.30 |
| 33 | Oregon | $38,141 | $18.34 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $35,985 | $17.30 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $38,093 | $18.31 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $36,778 | $17.68 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $36,271 | $17.44 |
| 39 | Maine | $35,816 | $17.22 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $37,929 | $18.24 |
| 41 | Kansas | $37,739 | $18.14 |
| 42 | Michigan | $35,274 | $16.96 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $32,136 | $15.45 |
| 44 | Indiana | $34,967 | $16.81 |
| 45 | Alabama | $33,683 | $16.19 |
| 46 | Texas | $32,272 | $15.52 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| 48 | Florida | $27,425 | $13.19 |
| 49 | Georgia | $31,493 | $15.14 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $32,151 | $15.46 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $32,709 | $15.73 |
The highest-paying cities for solar panel installers are Vacaville, CA, Saint Paul, MN, and Reno, NV.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacaville, CA | $43,858 | $21.09 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $43,615 | $20.97 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $43,521 | $20.92 |
| 4 | Tucson, AZ | $42,132 | $20.26 |
| 5 | Lynchburg, VA | $41,467 | $19.94 |
| 6 | Saint George, UT | $41,201 | $19.81 |
| 7 | Madison, WI | $40,447 | $19.45 |
| 8 | Albany, NY | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| 9 | Hillsboro, OR | $38,171 | $18.35 |
| 10 | Cherry Hill, NJ | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 11 | Kansas City, KS | $37,868 | $18.21 |
| 12 | Columbia, SC | $36,079 | $17.35 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $32,245 | $15.50 |
| 14 | Winter Park, FL | $27,590 | $13.26 |
A solar panel installer's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $37,985 | $3,165 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
The highest paying types of solar panel installers are electro-mechanical solar technician, solar panel technician, and solar electric practitioner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Technician | $41,791 | $3,483 | $20.09 | 51,861 |
| Installer | $39,799 | $3,317 | $19.13 | 30,303 |
| Solar Installer | $37,239 | $3,103 | $17.90 | 17,367 |
Top companies hiring solar panel installers now:
Solar panel installer salaries at Black & Veatch and GPAC are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average solar panel installer salary at companies like Aerotek and Adecco are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black & Veatch | $45,412 | $21.83 |
| 2 | GPAC | $40,865 | $19.65 |
| 3 | Aerotek | $35,811 | $17.22 |
| 4 | Adecco | $35,162 | $16.90 |
| 5 | PeopleReady | $34,817 | $16.74 |
| 6 | Express Employment Indy South | $34,294 | $16.49 |
| 7 | ManpowerGroup | $33,981 | $16.34 |
The average solar panel installer salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $40,884 | $19.66 |
| 2 | Construction | $40,257 | $19.35 |
| 3 | Energy | $38,829 | $18.67 |
| 4 | Professional | $35,804 | $17.21 |
The average solar panel installer salary has risen by $7,237 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average solar panel installer earned $30,748 annually, but today, they earn $37,985 a year. That works out to a 18% change in pay for solar panel installers over the last decade.
Compare solar panel installer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare solar panel installer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,000 | $18.26 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $36,700 | $17.64 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | $34,900 | $16.77 | +7.5% |
| 2022 | $32,300 | $15.52 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | $32,100 | $15.42 | +3.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast | Installer 3, Solar Panel Installation | Alexandria, VA | 06/27/2025 | $54,262 |
| Comcast | Installer 3, Solar Panel Installation | Bel Air South, MD | 06/13/2025 | $54,262 |
| Comcast | Installer 3, Solar Panel Installation | Pennsauken, NJ | 06/08/2025 | $54,262 |
| Everlight Solar | Solar Panel Installer | Milwaukee, WI | 06/05/2025 | $31,305 |
| Everlight Solar | Solar Panel Installer | Minneapolis, MN | 06/05/2025 | $31,305 |
| Comcast | Installer 1, Solar Panel Installation | Pennsauken, NJ | 05/22/2025 | $37,566 |
| Everlight Solar | Solar Panel Installer | Milwaukee, WI | 05/15/2025 | $31,305 |
| Everlight Solar | Solar Panel Installer | Minneapolis, MN | 05/15/2025 | $31,305 |
| Comcast | Installer 1, Solar Panel Installation | Laurel, MD | 05/10/2025 | $37,566 |
| Comcast | Installer 1, Solar Panel Installation | Pennsauken, NJ | 04/25/2025 | $37,566 |
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