How much do solar installers make in Arizona in 2026?

Solar installers in Arizona earn a median $51,160 a year, which works out to about $24.60 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of the range — half of installers in the state earn more, half earn less.

The bottom quarter of earners — workers newer to the trade or in smaller markets — bring in around $45,300 a year ($21.78/hr). If you're in the top quarter, expect $60,500 or more ($29.09/hr). That gap of roughly $15,200 between the 25th and 75th percentile is real money, and it reflects differences in experience, employer size, and the type of work you're doing.

Arizona is one of the busiest states in the country for solar installation. High sun hours mean near-constant demand for residential rooftop systems, commercial arrays, and utility-scale projects. That steady workflow keeps layoffs low and gives experienced hands leverage when negotiating pay.

A few things push your wages toward the top of the range. Roof-mount work is table stakes — if you can also handle ground-mount utility jobs, battery storage systems, or take on a lead installer role, employers pay more. Electrically licensed installers who can pull permits or do the final tie-in to the panel typically earn above the median.

Certifications matter here too. A NABCEP PV Installation Professional credential signals to employers that you know the work and won't create liability. That credential alone can be the difference between a $23/hr offer and a $27/hr offer from the same company.

Hours can vary by season even in Arizona. Summer heat pushes some crews to early-morning starts, but it doesn't slow the calendar. Many installers work consistent 40-hour weeks year-round, and overtime is common during peak permit-pull seasons. If your employer offers overtime at 1.5x, a few extra hours a week adds up fast at these hourly rates.

There is no published union wage scale for solar installers in Arizona at this time. Most solar work in the state is non-union, so your pay is set by the employer and whatever you negotiate at hire. Don't skip that conversation — the spread between the 25th and 75th percentile shows there's room to move the number.

All figures on this page come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. These are employer-reported wages for Arizona and reflect actual pay, not posted job listings.