A solar photovoltaic installer sets up and maintains the solar panel systems that convert sunlight into electricity for homes and businesses. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a certificate. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems on rooftops and other structures. You perform physical tasks like handling and moving heavy equipment, inspect panels and wiring to ensure they work properly, and monitor systems to catch problems early. You operate vehicles and mechanized equipment to transport materials and position panels. You read technical specifications, get information from blueprints and manuals, and communicate with customers and team members about project details and safety requirements.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn a median of $53,140 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 42 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 4,100 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most solar photovoltaic installers start with a certificate program that covers building and construction, electrical systems, and solar technology. These programs typically combine classroom learning with hands-on training. You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics as you learn to read blueprints, troubleshoot problems, and calculate electrical loads. Many programs include on-the-job training or apprenticeships where you work alongside experienced installers while earning a wage. Some positions may require additional certifications or licensing depending on your location.
Most people enter this field through a certificate program or apprenticeship. If you are deciding between different training routes or timing your entry into the field, Pathly can map the solar photovoltaic installer path that fits you with your counselor to build a step-by-step plan that fits your situation.
Many solar photovoltaic installers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to hands-on work with tools and systems. You like solving practical problems, working outdoors, and seeing the direct results of your effort. You are detail-oriented and comfortable learning technical skills.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).