Solar Photovoltaic Installers in California
Want to work as a Solar Photovoltaic Installers in California? Here’s what the data says. Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. Excludes solar PV electricians who are included in “Electricians” (47-2111) and solar thermal installers who are included in “Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters” (47-2152).
What do Solar Photovoltaic Installers Make in California?
For solar photovoltaic installers working in California, the typical annual salary is $60,790 per year (or about $29.23/hour).Pay can range from $48,050 at the 10th percentile to $94,890 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 25th percentile | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Median (50th) | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| 75th percentile | $77,220 | $37.12 |
| 90th percentile | $94,890 | $45.62 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 2.71, meaning that solar photovoltaic installers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, solar photovoltaic installers earn a median of $32,563 per year ($15.66/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 345,486 solar photovoltaic installers nationwide. In California alone, about 8,970 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 540 solar photovoltaic installers.
Top California Metros for Solar Photovoltaic Installers
These are the California metros with the most solar photovoltaic installers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,870 | $59,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,140 | $70,390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,120 | $60,130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,030 | $59,140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 820 | $62,150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 450 | $56,150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 440 | $72,900 |
| Fresno, CA | 260 | $56,740 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 130 | $57,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | 130 | $61,580 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 120 | $62,190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 100 | $60,930 |
| Modesto, CA | 90 | $64,030 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 70 | $67,440 |
| Chico, CA | 50 | $56,230 |
Top States for Solar Photovoltaic Installers Employment
View the states that employ the most solar photovoltaic installers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 8,970 |
| Texas | 5,370 |
| Florida | 1,940 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,430 |
| Arizona | 1,360 |
| New Jersey | 1,280 |
| Virginia | 1,110 |
| North Carolina | 730 |
| Indiana | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | 650 |
| Colorado | 650 |
| Utah | 540 |
| Maryland | 490 |
| Hawaii | 370 |
| South Carolina | 270 |
| Oregon | 240 |
| Wisconsin | 230 |
| Illinois | 200 |
| New Mexico | 200 |
| Nevada | 170 |
Highest-Paying States for Solar Photovoltaic Installers
The highest-paying states for solar photovoltaic installers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $103,880 |
| Nevada | $66,090 |
| New Jersey | $64,670 |
| Vermont | $64,230 |
| Hawaii | $62,740 |
| California | $60,790 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Maryland | $58,420 |
| Kansas | $57,200 |
| Massachusetts | $55,010 |
Skills
Top solar photovoltaic installers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for solar photovoltaic installers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
- Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
- Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
- Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
- Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
- Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
- Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
- Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
- Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.
- Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.
- Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
Work Activities
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Extensible markup language XML In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
- Building Management & Inspection
- Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
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Related Careers
Related occupations to solar photovoltaic installers include:
- Electrical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers
- Lighting Technicians
Also Known As
Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician (Electro-Mechanical Solar Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Installer, Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer), PV Fabrication Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician), PV Fabrication and Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician), PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician), PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer), PV Panel Installer (Photovoltaic Panel Installer), PV Technician (Photovoltaic Technician), PV Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Testing Technician), Residential Solar Installer, Solar Designer, Solar Electric Installer, Solar Electric Practitioner.
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: 47-2231.00
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