Solar Energy Systems Engineers in California
Thinking about a career as a Solar Energy Systems Engineers in California? Below are the key facts. All engineers not listed separately. Excludes “Sales Engineers” (41-9031), “Locomotive Engineers” (53-4011), and “Ship Engineers” (53-5031).
What do Solar Energy Systems Engineers Make in California?
The solar energy systems engineers working in California, wages run about $128,830 per year (or about $61.94/hour).Pay can range from $72,840 at the 10th percentile to $212,930 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 25th percentile | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Median (50th) | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| 75th percentile | $167,940 | $80.74 |
| 90th percentile | $212,930 | $102.37 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 1.50, indicating that solar energy systems engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, solar energy systems engineers earn a median of $116,775 per year ($56.14/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 233,058 solar energy systems engineers in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 26,500 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,430 solar energy systems engineers.
Top California Metros for Solar Energy Systems Engineers
The largest metro-area employers of solar energy systems engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,910 | $122,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,060 | $156,140 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,490 | $157,770 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,240 | $130,550 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,420 | $99,860 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,150 | $106,220 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 620 | $142,400 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 600 | $123,730 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 390 | $127,770 |
| Fresno, CA | 250 | $114,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 170 | $116,260 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 160 | $129,480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 150 | $114,170 |
| Vallejo, CA | 150 | $122,780 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | $119,810 |
| Salinas, CA | 90 | $122,540 |
| Modesto, CA | 70 | $108,230 |
| Chico, CA | 60 | $113,550 |
| Redding, CA | 50 | $104,190 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $100,940 |
| Merced, CA | 40 | $88,020 |
| Napa, CA | 30 | $94,750 |
| Yuba City, CA | 30 | $115,690 |
Top States for Solar Energy Systems Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of solar energy systems engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 26,500 |
| Texas | 9,900 |
| Florida | 9,120 |
| Louisiana | 7,630 |
| Maryland | 6,670 |
| Michigan | 6,630 |
| Virginia | 5,980 |
| Ohio | 5,970 |
| New York | 5,020 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,710 |
| Tennessee | 4,610 |
| North Carolina | 4,230 |
| Georgia | 3,970 |
| New Jersey | 3,910 |
| Alabama | 3,370 |
| Washington | 3,150 |
| Illinois | 3,010 |
| Massachusetts | 2,930 |
| Arizona | 2,660 |
| District of Columbia | 2,640 |
Highest-Paying States for Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Where solar energy systems engineers earn the most: solar energy systems engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,270 |
| Alabama | $146,480 |
| New Mexico | $142,520 |
| Virginia | $142,110 |
| Wyoming | $139,010 |
| Maryland | $135,990 |
| Alaska | $132,410 |
| Massachusetts | $132,020 |
| New Jersey | $131,960 |
| Rhode Island | $131,830 |
Skills
The most important solar energy systems engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for solar energy systems engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
- Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
- Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
- Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
- Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
- Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.
- Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Processing Information
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Bash In-demand technologies: Aurora HelioScope, Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- General Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Other Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Robotics Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Engineering Science
- Architectural Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Biological Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Geoscience Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Energy Systems Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
- Surveying Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Forest Engineering
- Paper Science & Engineering
- Engineering Chemistry
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Nanotechnology
- Rehabilitation Professions
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Related Careers
Other careers like solar energy systems engineers include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Wind Energy Development Managers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
Also Known As
Applications Engineer, Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer), Power Systems Engineer, Project Engineer, Renewable Energy Specialist, Research Engineer, Solar Applications Development Engineer, Solar Array Engineer, Solar Design Engineer, Solar Designer, Solar Development Engineer, Solar Energy Advisor, Solar Energy Contractor.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2199.11
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