Skilled Trades
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Energy transition labor, installed in the real world.
AI Risk Score: 3/10
Score is our body/liability/scarcity rubric, calibrated against public AI-exposure research.
Data last reviewed: 2026-02-25
What you actually do
Assemble, mount, and commission rooftop and ground-mount solar systems with electrical integration.
Why AI does not easily replace it
Roof geometry, field constraints, and safety-critical installs keep this highly physical.
What it pays
$44,000 - $71,000
BLS OOH: Solar Photovoltaic Installers (May 2024 pay)
Salary benchmark year: 2024
How to get in
Apprenticeship or trade program + OSHA and NABCEP-aligned training.
Estimated time to entry: ~12 months (path-dependent).
State-by-state training and licensing links
- Apprenticeship.gov: Registered apprenticeship job finder
- Apprenticeship.gov: State apprenticeship offices
Where demand is growing
Consistent demand with decarbonization and storage deployments.
Ready to explore?
Compare this career in the full directory, or run the exposure calculator against your current role.
"The moat is not a prompt. It is responsibility in the real world."