Post job

Solar system installer vs solar energy technician

The differences between solar system 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 system installer and a solar energy technician. Additionally, a solar energy technician has an average salary of $43,642, which is higher than the $37,683 average annual salary of a solar system installer.

Solar system installer vs solar energy technician overview

Solar System InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Yearly salary$37,683$43,642
Hourly rate$18.12$20.98
Growth rate27%27%
Number of jobs29,29010,637
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age2929
Years of experience1212

Solar system installer vs solar energy technician salary

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

Solar System InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Average salary$37,683$43,642
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $52,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between solar system installer and solar energy technician education

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

Solar System InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Solar system installer vs solar energy technician demographics

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

Solar System InstallerSolar Energy Technician
Average age2929
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%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 system installer and solar energy technician duties and responsibilities

Solar system 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.

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 system installer vs solar energy technician skills

Common solar system installer skills
  • Solar PV, 71%
  • MATLAB, 29%
Common solar energy technician skills

    Browse construction and extraction jobs