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The differences between solar electric installers and electrical contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a solar electric installer, becoming an electrical contractor takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an electrical contractor has an average salary of $66,405, which is higher than the $38,192 average annual salary of a solar electric installer.
The top three skills for a solar electric installer include hand tools, PV and safety hazards. The most important skills for an electrical contractor are electrical conduit, electrical systems, and transformers.
| Solar Electric Installer | Electrical Contractor | |
| Yearly salary | $38,192 | $66,405 |
| Hourly rate | $18.36 | $31.93 |
| Growth rate | 27% | - |
| Number of jobs | 17,105 | 46,437 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 29 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 10 |
Solar electric installers and electrical contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solar Electric Installer | Electrical Contractor | |
| Average salary | $38,192 | $66,405 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $51,000 | Between $47,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a solar electric installer and an electrical contractor in terms of educational background:
| Solar Electric Installer | Electrical Contractor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between solar electric installers' and electrical contractors' demographics:
| Solar Electric Installer | Electrical Contractor | |
| Average age | 29 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |