# Solar Photovoltaic Installers

> Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/solar-photovoltaic-installers
- SOC code: 47-2231.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $53,140 (10th percentile $41,600, 90th percentile $79,970)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +36.5%
- Openings a year: 4,200
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 27 |
| Artistic (A) | 6 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 12 |
| Conventional (C) | 51 |

## What you'd do

- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 88/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 83/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 82/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 77/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 72/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 71/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (importance 69/100)

## Skills

Installation, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination

## Knowledge

Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Design, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Production and Processing

## Also called

Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician (Electro-Mechanical Solar Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Installer, Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer), PV Fabrication and Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician), PV Fabrication Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician), PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician), PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer), PV Panel Installer (Photovoltaic Panel Installer), PV Technician (Photovoltaic Technician)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4604) (CIP 4604, 319 colleges)
- [Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1517) (CIP 1517, 224 colleges)
- Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 4707, 17 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Utah Valley University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-valley-university-3103) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $82,443 | $97,793 | $11,042 |
| [The University of Texas at San Antonio](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio-2767) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $74,627 | $90,691 | $17,750 |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $77,109 | $88,670 | $16,469 |
| [Tuskegee University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/tuskegee-university-2832) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $74,054 | $87,107 | not reported |
| [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $58,625 | $76,731 | not reported |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $69,819 | $74,310 | $27,000 |

## Related careers

- [Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/solar-thermal-installers-and-technicians): $63,800 median pay
- [Solar Energy Installation Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/solar-energy-installation-managers): $79,920 median pay
- [Wind Turbine Service Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/wind-turbine-service-technicians): $64,120 median pay
- [Hydroelectric Plant Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydroelectric-plant-technicians): $102,040 median pay
- [Lighting Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lighting-technicians): $68,060 median pay
- [Electricians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electricians): $63,190 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.