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Solar Energy Systems Engineers in District of Columbia

Solar Energy Systems Engineers in District of Columbia

Thinking about a career as a Solar Energy Systems Engineers in District of Columbia? 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 District of Columbia?

The solar energy systems engineers working in District of Columbia, the typical annual salary is $167,270 per year (or about $80.42/hour).Earnings range from $102,500 at the 10th percentile to $191,880 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $102,500 $49.28
25th percentile $134,430 $64.63
Median (50th) $167,270 $80.42
75th percentile $191,280 $91.96
90th percentile $191,880 $92.25
Salary ranges for Solar Energy Systems Engineers in District of Columbia

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in District of Columbia nationwide is 3.81, 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), higher than the District of Columbia median.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers earnings in District of Columbia vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 233,058 solar energy systems engineers nationwide. In District of Columbia alone, about 2,640 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,430 solar energy systems engineers.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers in District of Columbia vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Top District of Columbia Metros for Solar Energy Systems Engineers

The metro areas below employ the most solar energy systems engineers in District of Columbia.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 7,950 $162,610

Top States for Solar Energy Systems Engineers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most 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

Top solar energy systems engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  3.9 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Engineering and Technology  4.3 / 5
0
5
Design  4.1 / 5
0
5
Building and Construction  3.9 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.8 / 5
0
5
Mechanical  3.6 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for solar energy systems engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Fluency of Ideas  3.9 / 5
0
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?

Programs that train for this career include:

Careers similar to solar energy systems engineers include:

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

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