Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Solar photovoltaic installers (SOC 47-2231) employed 31,350 people in May 2025. The median pay is $53,140 a year ($25.55 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,600 and the highest-paid 10% more than $79,970. BLS projects its employment to change by +36.5% between 2025 and 2035 (about 4,200 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: New Jersey ($78,950), Hawaii ($70,370), Nevada ($67,810). Most jobs: California (6,830), Texas (5,270), Florida (2,980).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Median | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Mean | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| 75th percentile | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $79,970 | $38.45 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 31,100 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 42,400 |
| Change in jobs | 11,300 |
| Percent change | +36.5% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 4,200 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1,280 | 1.96 | $51,160 | $38,770 | $78,780 | -4% | 39% |
| California | 6,830 | 1.86 | $60,600 | $47,070 | $83,770 | +14% | 42% |
| Colorado | 620 | 1.07 | $49,730 | $45,930 | $76,170 | -6% | 44% |
| Florida | 2,980 | 1.49 | $50,550 | $44,450 | $76,550 | -5% | 43% |
| Hawaii | 420 | 3.29 | $70,370 | $47,480 | $105,200 | +32% | 33% |
| Indiana | 490 | 0.76 | $46,140 | $38,250 | $71,020 | -13% | 29% |
| Iowa | 180 | 0.58 | $56,740 | $41,430 | $72,450 | +7% | 21% |
| Maine | 60 | 0.49 | $61,210 | $51,970 | $86,730 | +15% | 24% |
| Maryland | 670 | 1.20 | $45,430 | $44,190 | $61,410 | -15% | 45% |
| Massachusetts | 620 | 0.85 | $59,180 | $46,150 | $76,280 | +11% | 37% |
| Michigan | 310 | 0.35 | $47,080 | $38,340 | $60,270 | -11% | 30% |
| Nevada | 100 | 0.33 | $67,810 | $51,170 | $89,200 | +28% | 30% |
| New Jersey | 1,880 | 2.17 | $78,950 | $47,600 | $102,050 | +49% | 27% |
| New Mexico | 340 | 1.93 | $48,490 | $40,020 | $75,370 | -9% | 28% |
| New York | 1,230 | 0.63 | $56,160 | $46,630 | $74,770 | +6% | 35% |
| North Carolina | 710 | 0.71 | $43,860 | $37,440 | $60,170 | -17% | 37% |
| Ohio | 70 | 0.06 | $62,400 | $48,270 | $70,150 | +17% | 21% |
| Oregon | 360 | 0.91 | $66,320 | $54,110 | $87,370 | +25% | 29% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,210 | 0.99 | $47,760 | $40,940 | $61,250 | -10% | 31% |
| South Dakota | 50 | 0.51 | $42,380 | $37,560 | $73,590 | -20% | 28% |
| Texas | 5,270 | 1.86 | $48,240 | $37,660 | $73,690 | -9% | 37% |
| Utah | 770 | 2.19 | $49,980 | $44,550 | $76,740 | -6% | 38% |
| Vermont | 250 | 4.02 | $49,490 | $44,600 | $72,030 | -7% | 32% |
| Wisconsin | 90 | 0.15 | $49,770 | $44,910 | $85,650 | -6% | 28% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 710 | $72,150 | $55,040 | $97,100 | 1.49 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,190 | $70,130 | $47,600 | $102,050 | 1.15 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 330 | $69,940 | $47,480 | $98,040 | 3.72 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 550 | $61,340 | $47,590 | $80,650 | 1.79 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 790 | $60,050 | $46,670 | $77,440 | 2.28 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 700 | $59,930 | $43,440 | $80,540 | 3.23 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,930 | $59,600 | $47,070 | $85,340 | 1.53 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 380 | $59,400 | $46,150 | $76,500 | 0.69 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 580 | $58,350 | $50,350 | $88,610 | 0.98 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 370 | $56,990 | $42,210 | $78,290 | 5.43 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 1,000 | $51,200 | $38,770 | $78,790 | 2.09 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 830 | $50,580 | $38,210 | $73,690 | 3.18 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,570 | $48,350 | $38,470 | $62,870 | 1.93 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 510 | $48,290 | $45,760 | $62,820 | 0.90 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,620 | $47,060 | $37,230 | $74,000 | 2.45 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 420 | $46,660 | $44,010 | $63,310 | 1.47 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 490 | $45,220 | $44,200 | $61,300 | 1.80 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 1,700 | $26,860 | $23,210 | $29,300 | 12.23 |
The median is $53,140 a year ($25.55 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $41,600 and the highest-paid tenth over $79,970 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
31,350 in May 2025, and BLS projects +36.5% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
New Jersey, with a median of $78,950 (among states with published figures).