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Solar installer vs solar energy technician

The differences between solar installers and solar energy 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 installer and a solar energy technician. Additionally, a solar energy technician has an average salary of $43,642, which is higher than the $37,239 average annual salary of a solar installer.

Solar installer vs solar energy technician overview

Solar InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Yearly salary$37,239$43,642
Hourly rate$17.90$20.98
Growth rate27%27%
Number of jobs17,36710,637
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age2929
Years of experience1212

Solar installer vs solar energy technician salary

Solar installers and solar energy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Solar InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Average salary$37,239$43,642
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyBlack & Veatch-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between solar installer and solar energy technician education

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

Solar InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Solar installer vs solar energy technician demographics

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

Solar InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Average age2929
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
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 installer and solar energy technician duties and responsibilities

Solar installer example responsibilities.

  • Attain skills to do sheeting, lay shingles, mounting and setting solar panels.
  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Do all electrical from ac to DC.
  • Ensure the safe installation of ladders on single and multilevel homes in accordance with OSHA regulations.
  • Install framing, wiring (including wire management) and PV modules for the commercial system.
  • Maintain OSHA regulations while on roofs, and on the ground, preventing injury, while ensuring timely system installation.
  • Show more

Solar energy technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform schedule and preventative maintenance on utility and commercial PV systems.
  • Experience in maintaining maintenance records using Maximo work order software.

Solar installer vs solar energy technician skills

Common solar installer skills
  • Renewable Energy, 18%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Roofing, 7%
  • Safety Hazards, 6%
Common solar energy technician skills

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