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The differences between solar panel 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 panel installer and a solar energy technician. Additionally, a solar energy technician has an average salary of $43,642, which is higher than the $37,985 average annual salary of a solar panel installer.
| Solar Panel Installer | Solar Energy Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,985 | $43,642 |
| Hourly rate | $18.26 | $20.98 |
| Growth rate | 27% | 27% |
| Number of jobs | 16,887 | 10,637 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 29 | 29 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Solar panel installers and solar energy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solar Panel Installer | Solar Energy Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,985 | $43,642 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $25,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vacaville, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Black & Veatch | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a solar panel installer and a solar energy technician in terms of educational background:
| Solar Panel Installer | Solar Energy Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between solar panel installers' and solar energy technicians' demographics:
| Solar Panel Installer | Solar Energy Technician | |
| Average age | 29 | 29 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 8% |