Post job

Solar electric installer vs photovoltaic technician

The differences between solar electric installers and photovoltaic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a solar electric installer and a photovoltaic technician. Additionally, a photovoltaic technician has an average salary of $39,118, 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 a photovoltaic technician are safety standards, , and .

Solar electric installer vs photovoltaic technician overview

Solar Electric InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Yearly salary$38,192$39,118
Hourly rate$18.36$18.81
Growth rate27%27%
Number of jobs17,10524,039
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age2929
Years of experience1212

Solar electric installer vs photovoltaic technician salary

Solar electric installers and photovoltaic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Solar Electric InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Average salary$38,192$39,118
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $51,000Between $27,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between solar electric installer and photovoltaic technician education

There are a few differences between a solar electric installer and a photovoltaic technician in terms of educational background:

Solar Electric InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyMechanical Engineering
Most common college--

Solar electric installer vs photovoltaic technician demographics

Here are the differences between solar electric installers' and photovoltaic technicians' demographics:

Solar Electric InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Average age2929
Gender ratioMale, 90.6% Female, 9.4%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 15.8% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 36.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 35.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between solar electric installer and photovoltaic technician duties and responsibilities

Solar electric installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
  • Track and report repair activities from discovery to resolution including manufacturer's RMA process, freight delivery, and warranty documentation.

Photovoltaic technician example responsibilities.

  • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  • Travele to supply vendors to ensure proper manufacturing & testing of PCB (print circuit board) assemblies.

Solar electric installer vs photovoltaic technician skills

Common solar electric installer skills
  • Hand Tools, 47%
  • PV, 19%
  • Safety Hazards, 16%
  • Roofing, 13%
  • Solar Modules, 3%
  • Electrical Equipment, 1%
Common photovoltaic technician skills
  • Safety Standards, 100%

Browse construction and extraction jobs