Solar Panel Installer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$52,000
national median salary
$46,000 to $63,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $53,140 for Solar Photovoltaic Installers (SOC 47-2231) across the United States, based on 31,350 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$41,600
25th percentile
$46,700
Median
$53,140
75th percentile
$62,870
90th percentile
$79,970
Workers surveyed
31,350
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$51,860
May 2025 release
$53,140
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Solar Photovoltaic Installers (SOC 47-2231) rather than Solar Panel Installerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 47-2231Highest Paying
$74,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$54,000
San Jose, CA
Lowest Paying
$41,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 47-2231. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Solar Panel Installer salary in the United States at $52,000 in 2026, within a range of $46,000 to $63,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $74,000, while San Jose offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences.
Solar Panel Installer salary by city.
Skills that increase Solar Panel Installer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Solar Panel Installers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $7,280 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$7,280 per year
≈ +$6,760 per year
≈ +$6,240 per year
≈ +$5,720 per year
≈ +$5,720 per year
≈ +$5,200 per year
≈ +$5,200 per year
≈ +$4,680 per year
What you should know.
NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences. Installers in states with strong solar incentives like California, Texas, and Florida earn more due to higher demand and project volume.
Entry-level Solar Installers earn $38,000 to $43,000. Experienced installers with NABCEP certification reach $46,000 to $54,000. Lead Installers and Site Supervisors command $55,000 to $68,000, while Operations Managers and business owners can earn $75,000 to $100,000.
Overtime pay during peak installation season can add $5,000 to $12,000 annually. Many employers offer tool allowances, safety gear, and per diem pay for travel to remote sites. Health insurance and retirement plans vary by company size.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Solar Panel Installers typically earn $50,000 (3% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Solar Panel Installer pay.
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