---
title: "How to Become a Solar Installer: Training and Pay"
description: "How to become a solar panel installer: on-the-job training, short courses, NABCEP certification, electrical licensing questions and May 2025 BLS pay."
url: https://shapemycareer.com/trades/solar-installer/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: ShapeMyCareer
---

Trade · Solar installer

# How to become a solar installer

Rooftops, racking and wiring, in a fast growing field.

On-the-job training · Fast growth

Solar photovoltaic installers mount panels on roofs and ground racks and connect them to the electrical system. Many start as helpers with little experience, and the field is growing quickly.

In short

Most solar installers start with a high school diploma and learn on the job, sometimes after a short course. NABCEP certification is a voluntary credential many experienced installers earn. In many states, the electrical connection must be made by a licensed electrician. BLS projects 36.5% growth from 2025 to 2035, and installers earned a median $53,140 in May 2025.

**Sources checked October 9, 2026** Pay, training and outlook come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay is the middle (median) figure nationally; your first paycheck in the trade will usually be lower.

| Middle pay | $53,140 a year, roughly $25.55 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then moderate-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 31,100 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 36.5% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 4,200, counting retirements |

From the [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm) Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.

## The work

- Measuring roofs and installing mounting systems
- Lifting and setting panels, often in the sun and heat
- Running conduit and wiring inverters
- Inspecting and maintaining systems

## Moving up

Many installers become electricians to handle the wiring side, which also opens higher pay. Read about [electrician apprenticeships](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/electrician/).

### Find solar and electrical training

Tell us your ZIP and we will send programs near you.

[Find training near me](#smc-form)

## Straight answers

### Do solar installers need a license?

Rules vary. Many states require electrical work to be done by licensed electricians.

### Is solar installation hard?

It is physical and involves working on roofs in the heat.

### What is NABCEP?

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, which offers voluntary solar certifications.

## Where this comes from

- [BLS OOH: Solar Photovoltaic Installers](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm)
- [Solar photovoltaic installers in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm)
- [NABCEP (solar installer certification)](https://www.nabcep.org/)
- [BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025 to 2035)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)

## Keep looking

- [Wind turbine technician](https://shapemycareer.com/trades/wind-turbine-technician/)
- [Roofer](https://shapemycareer.com/trades/roofer/)
- [Electrician apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/electrician/)
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