How much do solar installers make in the US in 2026?
$53,140
National median (BLS OEWS May 2025)
In 2026, solar installers earn the most in New Jersey (~$78,950) and the least in North Carolina (~$43,860), with a national median of $53,140 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Last updated June 2026.
Compare another trade or pick a state
Which state is best for solar installers?
Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.
Highest median pay
New Jersey
$78,950
Most jobs
California
6,830 jobs
Across 18 states: $43,860–$78,950 (median $50,130).
53,140 reasons to know what you're worth before you take the next job — that's the national median annual wage for solar installers, according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The middle of the pay range runs from $46,700 at the 25th percentile to $62,870 at the 75th percentile, meaning the spread between a low offer and a solid one is over $16,000 a year. TradesPays covers this trade across 18 states, with wages ranging from $43,860 in North Carolina up to $78,950 in New Jersey. Ohio sits at $62,400 and California at $60,600. Those state-level gaps are real money — knowing where you stand in your state is the first step to negotiating like you know what you're doing.
Solar Installer pay by state
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $78,950 |
| 2 | Ohio | $62,400 |
| 3 | California | $60,600 |
| 4 | Illinois | $59,630 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $59,180 |
| 6 | New York | $56,160 |
| 7 | Arizona | $51,160 |
| 8 | Florida | $50,550 |
| 9 | South Carolina | $50,490 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $49,770 |
| 11 | Colorado | $49,730 |
| 12 | Virginia | $49,190 |
| 13 | Texas | $48,240 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $47,760 |
| 15 | Michigan | $47,080 |
See all 18
| 16 | Indiana | $46,140 |
| 17 | Maryland | $45,430 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $43,860 |
Where is the union premium biggest for Solar Installers?
Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.
We don't have union scale data for Solar Installer across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Solar Installer.
Union landscape
Straight answer: TradesPays has no union scale data for solar installers in any of the 18 states we currently cover. That's not a gap we're hiding — it's just where our data stands right now. Some solar installers do work under a collective bargaining agreement, depending on how their employer is organized and what jurisdiction they're in. If that applies to you, your local is the only reliable source for current negotiated rates, benefit contributions, and progression schedules. Do not rely on any general figure — including the numbers on this page — as a substitute for what's in your actual CBA. Check with your local directly and get the current rate sheet. Until we have verified scale data we can stand behind, we won't publish numbers we can't confirm.
What we don't track yet
A few honest limits you should know before you use these numbers. First, we don't have metro-level pay data for solar installers. The state figures here are statewide averages — they won't tell you whether wages in your specific city or county run higher or lower than the state line suggests. Urban markets, rural utility-scale sites, and suburban residential crews can all pay differently within the same state. Second, we don't yet break out pay by apprentice, journeyman, or master tier for this trade beyond union scale data, which we don't currently have. The median and percentile figures on this page reflect the trade as a whole. If you're early in your career or a seasoned lead installer, your actual number may sit well above or below what's shown here. We're working to close both gaps. If you have verified wage data — a pay stub, a rate sheet, a union scale document — consider submitting it through TradesPays. Real data from real workers in the field is how we make these numbers more accurate for everyone in the trade.
Solar Installer pay: FAQ
- What is the national median wage for solar installers?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median annual wage for solar installers is $53,140. The 25th percentile sits at $46,700 and the 75th percentile at $62,870.
- Which state pays solar installers the most in the TradesPays dataset?
- New Jersey is the highest-paying state in our current 18-state coverage, with a reported wage of $78,950. That's nearly $26,000 above the national median — a significant gap worth factoring in if you're considering where to work.
- Which state has the lowest solar installer wages in your dataset?
- North Carolina is the lowest in our current set at $43,860. That's below the national 25th percentile of $46,700, so if you're working in North Carolina, it's worth benchmarking your pay carefully against what's available.
- How many states does TradesPays cover for solar installer wages?
- We currently cover solar installer wages in 18 states. Coverage varies by trade, and we're continuing to add states as reliable data becomes available.
- Does TradesPays show solar installer wages by metro area?
- Not yet. Our current data for this trade is at the state level only. Metro-level figures are something we're working toward — if you have verified local wage data, submitting it through TradesPays helps us get there faster.
- Does TradesPays break out pay by experience level — apprentice, journeyman, or lead installer?
- Not currently for this trade. The median and percentile figures shown reflect all solar installers in the BLS dataset as a whole. We don't yet have a verified tier-by-tier breakdown. The numbers here give you a reference point, not a career ladder.
- Are solar installers typically paid hourly or annually?
- Both arrangements exist in the field. BLS reports annual figures, which TradesPays uses as the baseline. Your actual pay structure — hourly, salary, or a combination with overtime — depends on your employer and state. The annual figures here are the best apples-to-apples comparison across states, but always confirm your hourly rate and how overtime is handled before you accept an offer.
Other trades to compare
Get pay updates
Real BLS + union + peer pay for the trades and states you pick. No spam.