Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in Texas
Considering working as a Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in Texas? Here’s what you need to know. Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
What do Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians Make in Texas?
For solar thermal installers and technicians working in Texas, wages run about $58,560 per year (or roughly $28.15/hour).Annual wages span from $37,320 at the 10th percentile to $81,510 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| 25th percentile | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| Median (50th) | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| 75th percentile | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| 90th percentile | $81,510 | $39.19 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Texas nationwide is 1.03.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, solar thermal installers and technicians earn a median of $83,502 per year ($40.15/hour), below the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 674,858 solar thermal installers and technicians in the U.S.. In Texas alone, about 42,290 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 6,350 solar thermal installers and technicians.
Top Texas Metros for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most solar thermal installers and technicians in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 11,150 | $60,230 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 11,120 | $60,370 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 4,740 | $62,280 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 3,040 | $58,530 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 820 | $59,710 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 750 | $58,260 |
| El Paso, TX | 710 | $48,330 |
| Waco, TX | 670 | $58,670 |
| Lubbock, TX | 530 | $48,460 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 500 | $55,490 |
| Amarillo, TX | 430 | $49,680 |
| Longview, TX | 410 | $48,040 |
| Midland, TX | 410 | $55,660 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 370 | $45,510 |
| Abilene, TX | 360 | $48,210 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 330 | $46,260 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 330 | $49,580 |
| Tyler, TX | 330 | $51,580 |
| Odessa, TX | 230 | $52,270 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 190 | $48,750 |
| San Angelo, TX | 180 | $48,650 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 170 | $48,720 |
| Laredo, TX | 130 | $46,640 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 130 | $48,250 |
| Victoria, TX | 110 | $51,060 |
Top States for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most solar thermal installers and technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 45,460 |
| Texas | 42,290 |
| Florida | 26,730 |
| New York | 22,630 |
| Illinois | 18,730 |
| Massachusetts | 15,670 |
| Ohio | 14,490 |
| North Carolina | 14,300 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,990 |
| Virginia | 13,190 |
| Michigan | 12,830 |
| Arizona | 12,330 |
| Washington | 12,210 |
| Indiana | 11,620 |
| Maryland | 11,490 |
| Colorado | 9,970 |
| New Jersey | 9,840 |
| Wisconsin | 9,120 |
| Louisiana | 9,040 |
| Tennessee | 8,810 |
Highest-Paying States for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Where solar thermal installers and technicians earn the most: solar thermal installers and technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $96,200 |
| Oregon | $93,110 |
| Minnesota | $83,280 |
| Massachusetts | $83,260 |
| Alaska | $83,090 |
| District of Columbia | $81,950 |
| Washington | $79,070 |
| Hawaii | $78,540 |
| Wisconsin | $78,510 |
| New York | $78,460 |
Skills
Key solar thermal installers and technicians 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
The abilities that matter most for solar thermal installers and technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, solar thermal installers and technicians typically:
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
- Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
- Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
- Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
- Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
- Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
- Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Handling and Moving Objects
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Plumbing & Water Supply
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Related Careers
Related occupations to solar thermal installers and technicians include:
- Electrical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Also Known As
Heat Exchanger, Installer, Solar Boilers Technician, Solar Energy Technician, Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer), Solar Installation Technician, Solar Installer, Solar Insulation Technician, Solar Maintenance Technician, Solar Pool Heating Installer, Solar Power Installer, Solar System Installer, Solar Technician, Solar Thermal Installer, Solar Thermal Technician.
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: 47-2152.04