Solar Installer Salary Guide for 2025

As demand for solar energy continues to rise, so does the need for qualified solar installers. For solar companies, offering a competitive solar installer salary is essential—not just to attract new hires, but to retain experienced team members who can ensure consistent, high-quality installations.

For those considering a career in the clean energy sector, understanding the latest solar panel installer salary trends can offer insight into earning potential and the long-term outlook of this rapidly growing industry. In a market where customer satisfaction and system reliability are critical, skilled installers play a vital role—and their compensation is starting to reflect that value.

At GreenLancer, we’ve supported thousands of solar projects over the past decade, and many of our clients are currently facing serious staffing challenges. With a limited labor pool and a shortage of qualified applicants, keeping solar panel installation jobs fully staffed has become increasingly difficult. Offering competitive solar panel installation jobs salary packages can make a significant difference in attracting talent and building long-term installation teams.

As the industry continues to scale, companies that invest in their workforce are more likely to thrive—both in project performance and employee retention.

Average Solar Panel Installer Salary in 2025

As of the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median solar panel installer salary in 2023 was approximately $48,880 per year, or about $23.46 per hour. While official 2025 data hasn’t been released yet, industry trends suggest that wages are rising due to strong demand and labor shortages across the solar sector.

The continued growth of the renewable energy industry is creating stable and well-paying opportunities across the country. In fact, the BLS projects a 48% increase in solar panel installation jobs from 2021 to 2031—making it one of the fastest-growing job categories in the U.S. economy.

With installation crews in high demand, many solar companies are offering higher-than-average wages and additional incentives to attract and retain skilled workers. That means the typical solar installer salary in 2025 may be even more competitive—especially in states with strong solar markets or labor shortages.

If you're considering a career in solar, now is a great time to explore entry-level roles and apprenticeships, knowing that the long-term outlook for solar panel installation jobs salary is solid and rising.

Regional Solar Installer Salary Variations

Solar panel installer salaries vary across the U.S. based on several key factors: local demand, state-level solar incentives, and the cost of living. As of 2025, strong regional markets continue to drive competitive wages for solar panel installation jobs—especially in states with aggressive clean energy targets and labor shortages.

California: California consistently leads the country in solar deployment, and solar installer salary ranges reflect that. Most solar panel installer salaries in California fall between $55,000 and $72,000 per year, with top earners making even more in high-cost metro areas like San Francisco or Los Angeles. The state’s mature market, robust incentives, and high demand contribute to this wage premium.
Texas and Florida: These two fast-growing solar states offer solid earning potential. In 2025, solar panel installation jobs salary ranges in Texas and Florida are typically between $46,000 and $62,000 per year. The increase in utility-scale and residential installations—particularly in Austin, Houston, Miami, and Tampa—has raised both demand and pay for skilled solar workers.
Northeast (e.g., New York, Massachusetts): The Northeast solar installer salary range sits between $50,000 and $65,000 annually. States like Massachusetts and New York continue to support solar adoption through net metering, state rebates, and building code mandates. Urban areas, such as Boston and New York City, tend to offer the highest solar panel installer salary figures in the region due to higher living costs and permitting complexity.
Midwest and Southern States: In emerging solar markets like Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, and the Carolinas, solar installer salaries are slightly lower on average, typically ranging from $42,000 to $52,000 per year. However, local policies and utility-driven solar programs are gaining traction in these regions, which may gradually increase both installation volume and compensation over time.

Factors Affecting a Solar Installer’s Salary

Several variables can impact a solar installer salary in 2025, including experience, certifications, and licensing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, solar panel installation jobs salary ranges widely depending on skill level and credentials.

Technician experience level

Entry-level installers or those new to the industry typically earn toward the lower end of the pay scale, often around $35,000 to $42,000 annually. As installers gain more on-the-job experience and take on supervisory responsibilities, their earnings increase accordingly.

Solar installer certifications

Earning industry-recognized credentials—such as the NABCEP PV Associate or OSHA 10 certification—can lead to a significant jump in earnings. Certified solar panel installer salary ranges often fall between $50,000 and $65,000 per year, especially for those working on complex installations or in leadership roles.

Licensed electricians

Installers who are also licensed electricians or have advanced electrical training may command salaries of $65,000 or more, particularly if they handle both installation and commissioning tasks. These professionals are in high demand for commercial or utility-scale projects, where both safety and code compliance are critical.

As demand grows and the talent gap widens, qualifications and hands-on experience will continue to play a major role in determining compensation for solar panel installation jobs nationwide.

Comparing Solar Installer Salaries vs. Related Trades

It's helpful to compare solar panel installer salaries with related trades such as electricians, carpenters, and other renewable energy jobs. As of 2023 data, the median solar installer salary is approximately $48,800, somewhat lower than that of electricians, who earn an average of around $61,590 annually. Similarly, wind turbine technicians earn about $61,77, and carpenter salaries are about $56,350, depending on their experience and location.

However, solar installer wages are particularly attractive within the green job sector, especially considering the industry's rapid growth and the increasing demand for renewable energy solutions. The potential for additional benefits, job stability, and advancement make solar installation a compelling career choice in today’s job market.

Additional Job Benefits Beyond Solar Installer Salary

In addition to competitive solar installer salaries, many employers in the solar industry offer a range of benefits that enhance overall compensation packages. These benefits can significantly impact job satisfaction and employee retention.

Common solar job benefit packages include:

Health Insurance: Most solar installation companies provide comprehensive health insurance plans, often including medical, dental, and vision coverage. This solar installer job benefit is helpful for employees and their families, ensuring access to necessary healthcare services.
Retirement Plans: Employers offer retirement savings plans with matching contributions, such as 401(k) options or IRAs. This benefit helps employees prepare for their financial future and promotes long-term job commitment.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation and sick leave policies are standard in the solar energy industry, allowing solar installer salary earners to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Short-Term Disability Insurance: Many employers provide short-term disability insurance, which offers financial protection for employees unable to work due to temporary illness or injury. This benefit ensures that solar installers can maintain their income during recovery.
Workers' Compensation: Solar installation companies typically offer workers' compensation insurance, which covers medical expenses and lost wages in case of job-related injuries or illnesses. This safety net protects solar installers and encourages a safe working environment.
Solar Installer Certification Reimbursements: To encourage professional development, many solar companies reimburse employees for certification costs, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). This helps installers enhance their solar installation job skills and contributes to the company's overall expertise.
Solar Installer Training and Development: Employers often invest in solar installer training programs to keep their teams updated on the latest technologies and installation practices, fostering career growth and job satisfaction.

How to Offer Competitive Solar Installer Salaries

To attract and retain skilled talent, solar companies need to offer more than just a paycheck—they need to provide compensation and growth opportunities that reflect the skills and expertise required for the job. Here are a few ways to stay competitive in today’s labor market:

Conduct Market Research: Stay current with local wage data and national salary benchmarks for solar panel installer salary averages. Reviewing this information regularly helps ensure your compensation packages stay competitive. Adjusting your solar installer salary range in response to market trends can make a big difference in hiring outcomes.
Offer Incentives and Bonuses: Signing bonuses and performance-based incentives are valuable tools in attracting top talent—especially for candidates with certifications or advanced experience. These perks can significantly enhance a technician’s overall solar panel installation jobs salary and make your job offers stand out.
Provide Paid Training Programs: Paid training not only helps installers build their skills but also signals your company’s investment in their future. Supporting continuing education and certifications can improve retention and elevate the overall quality of your installation team.
Promote Career Growth Opportunities: Make advancement opportunities clear from day one. Whether it's a path from installer to crew lead or support for earning licenses and certifications, showing a clear trajectory can help improve recruiting and retention while justifying higher solar installer salaries for experienced team members.

Performance-Based Incentives to Boost Solar Installer Salaries

In today’s competitive market, performance-based incentives are an effective way to increase solar installer salary potential and improve employee motivation. These strategies can raise earnings, reward quality work, and create a stronger team culture for companies hiring for solar panel installation jobs.

Commission-Based Pay: Offering solar installers a commission structure based on the number of projects completed or the total value of installations can incentivize higher performance and boost a solar installer's salary.
Production Bonuses: Bonuses tied to productivity—such as completing a certain number of installations within a month—encourage efficiency and can significantly increase a solar installer’s salary when paired with a competitive base wage.
Quality Bonuses: Rewarding installers for maintaining high-quality work, such as achieving low callback rates or receiving positive customer feedback, helps promote excellence in installations.
Safety Bonuses: Providing bonuses for meeting safety goals, such as an accident-free quarter, not only reduces risks but also builds a strong safety culture. This can be a cost-effective way to raise morale while enhancing solar installer salary packages.
Referral Bonuses: Encouraging employees to refer qualified candidates for open positions by providing bonuses if their referrals are hired and complete a probationary period can help attract skilled workers.
Training and Certification Bonuses: Offering financial rewards for completing solar training programs or earning certifications—like NABCEP or OSHA 30—encourages installers to grow professionally. These bonuses add lasting value to a solar installer’s salary and skill set.
Team Performance Bonuses: Implementing bonuses for entire installation teams based on overall project performance or meeting specific deadlines can foster teamwork and collaboration.
Customer Satisfaction Rewards: Providing incentives based on customer satisfaction scores or Net Promoter Scores (NPS) can encourage installers to focus on delivering excellent service and quality workmanship.
Profit-Sharing Plans: Introducing a profit-sharing plan where employees receive a share of the company's profits based on performance can align their interests with the company's success.
Flexible Work Schedules or Extra Time Off: Offering flexible schedules or extra paid time off for high performers can improve work-life balance, reduce burnout, and support long-term job satisfaction—all while making your solar panel installer salary offerings more attractive.

Future Outlook for Solar Panel Installer Salaries

The future outlook for solar installer salaries is promising, with expected trends indicating growth driven by various factors. As the demand for solar energy continues to rise, solar installer salaries will likely increase in response.

Industry developments, such as advancements in solar technology and expanding markets, will further elevate the need for skilled installers. Additionally, policy changes at the federal and state levels, including tax incentives and renewable energy mandates, may lead to an uptick in solar projects, creating more job opportunities and competition for talent. As a result, employers may need to raise pay rates to attract and retain qualified installers.

Finding the Right Balance for Solar Panel Installer Salaries

Both employers and job seekers should consider competitive solar installer salaries as a key factor in hiring. Employers must offer fair compensation, benefits, and career advancement opportunities to attract top talent.

Job seekers should understand the value of their skills and negotiate appropriate salaries to secure successful careers in the expanding solar industry. Ultimately, fostering a skilled solar workforce depends on fair compensation and a supportive work environment.

GreenLancer specializes in solar design and engineering services for residential, commercial, and utility projects. Our services include permit-ready plan sets, engineering stamps, and professional engineering reviews. Complete the form below to learn more.