Most solar installers learn on the job: the BLS says training typically lasts from one month to one year working alongside experienced installers, and the usual entry requirement is a high school diploma. Many add a community college or technical course, and NABCEP certification is the main voluntary credential for moving up.
The figures here are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page on solar photovoltaic installers and the BLS wage survey for solar photovoltaic installers (47-2231), May 2025, checked as of October 2026.
Pay and outlook in numbers
| Measure | Figure (BLS) |
|---|---|
| Median annual wage, May 2025 | $53,140 ($25.55 an hour) |
| 10th percentile | $41,600 |
| 90th percentile | $79,970 |
| Wage-and-salary jobs, May 2025 | about 31,350 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 37% |
| Average openings per year, 2025 to 2035 | about 4,200 |
Two things stand out. Growth is very fast in percentage terms. But the occupation is small, so 37% growth still means a few thousand openings a year, a fraction of the electricians' figure. And the pay range is narrower than in the licensed trades: the 90th percentile is under twice the 10th.
79,970 รท 41,600 = 1.92
That's one reason to treat solar as a possible door into electrical work. A licensed electrician who knows PV earns on the electrician scale; see how much electricians make.
Step 1: Get on a crew
The fastest route is getting hired as an installer helper by a solar contractor. You'll carry panels and racking, run conduit, and learn mounting, roof attachments and safety from a lead. The BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical.
Things that help an application: comfort at heights, a driver's license, reliability, and some basic electrical or construction background. A short safety course helps too.
Step 2: Add classroom training
The BLS notes some installers take courses at technical schools or community colleges covering safety, system design and the electrical side. Classroom training also helps you meet NABCEP eligibility if you want the credential later.
Step 3: Earn NABCEP credentials
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the main certifying body in solar. According to the NABCEP FAQ, checked as of October 2026:
- PV Associate is an entry-level credential for people new to the industry. You qualify by completing a training course with a NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider, or by documenting at least 6 months of full-time-equivalent work directly involved with photovoltaics, and then passing the exam.
- Board certifications, such as PV Installation Professional, are for people already working in the industry. They have their own eligibility requirements listed in the NABCEP Certification Handbook, plus a harder exam.
- Both credentials are valid for three years and then need recertification.
The BLS notes that certification is not universally required but shows competency, and that some states require certified installers on projects that receive solar subsidies.
Step 4: Check your state's licensing
Some states require a license for solar work, and depending on the state, the electrical side of a PV system may fall under electrical licensing rules. The BLS says to contact your state's licensing board for specifics. Check before you take side work on your own, because the rules for the roof crew and the person landing wires can be different.
The safety side
The BLS lists falls from ladders and roofs, electric shock and burns from hot equipment and materials as the main hazards. Harnesses, gloves and hard hats are standard. If a crew doesn't take fall protection seriously, find another crew.
Where the work is, and how it's scheduled
Residential solar is mostly install work: a site survey, then a crew on the roof for a day or more, then an electrician and an inspection. Some of it is done by subcontracted crews who work for more than one installer. That makes your calendar the product. The solar industry page covers the install workflow, and solar and roofing subcontractor scheduling explains how multi-day installs get booked across crews.
If you go independent, how to find subcontract work in the trades covers building a steady pipeline.
What to take away
- Most solar installers start as helpers and train on the job for one month to one year (BLS).
- BLS May 2025 median: $53,140 a year. Projected growth 2025 to 2035: 37%, about 4,200 openings a year.
- NABCEP PV Associate is the entry credential; board certifications like PV Installation Professional come later. Both last three years.
- Licensing is state by state, and the electrical side of PV may need a licensed electrician.
Common questions
Do you need a license to install solar panels?
It depends on your state. Some require a specific solar or electrical license, and the electrical connections may need a licensed electrician. Contact your state licensing board before doing work on your own.
How long does it take to become a solar installer?
You can start as a helper with little experience. The BLS says on-the-job training typically takes one month to one year. NABCEP PV Associate can be earned after a registered course or 6 months of relevant full-time work.
Is NABCEP certification required?
Not universally. The BLS notes certification shows competency and that some states require it for subsidized projects. Ask the installers you want to work for whether they ask for it.
How much do solar installers make?
The BLS median was $53,140 a year ($25.55 an hour) in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile range running from $41,600 to $79,970.