Solar Photovoltaic Installers
What Solar Photovoltaic Installers Do
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.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- Not available
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 2 of 5Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience.
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Job training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Key Knowledge Areas
Subject-matter areas this occupation draws on most, per O*NET.
- Building and Constructionimportance 4.8/5
- Engineering and Technologyimportance 4.4/5
- Mechanicalimportance 4.3/5
- Designimportance 4.1/5
- Administration and Managementimportance 4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Serviceimportance 4.0/5
- Mathematicsimportance 4.0/5
- Public Safety and Securityimportance 3.8/5
Work Environment
What the day-to-day work setting is like, per O*NET.
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.9/5
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets4.8/5
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team4.8/5
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions4.7/5
- Telephone Conversations4.6/5
- Exposed to High Places4.5/5
Careers With Similar Skills
Occupations whose Transferable Skills profile most closely matches this one — a mathematical comparison, not observed data about people actually moving between these careers.
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers93% skill match
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters92% skill match
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers90% skill match
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers90% skill match
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers90% skill match
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers89% skill match
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers89% skill match
- Sheet Metal Workers88% skill match
Transferable Skills
Cross-functional skills this occupation draws on most, per O*NET — the kind that carry over to other careers.
- Installationimportance 3.4/5
- Operations Monitoringimportance 3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysisimportance 3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.1/5
- Coordinationimportance 3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.0/5
- Troubleshootingimportance 3.0/5
- Time Managementimportance 3.0/5
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
Other Software Used
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Adaptability
- Achievement Orientation
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- RealisticHigh
- ConventionalMedium
- InvestigativeLow
- EnterprisingLow
- ArtisticLow
- SocialLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where solar photovoltaic installers make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR12.23× national avg
- 2Aguadilla, PR9.38× national avg
- 3Bakersfield-Delano, CA5.43× national avg
- 4San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA4.15× national avg
- 5Grand Junction, CO3.80× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersAdvancement
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersCareer Change
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersCareer Change
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersAdvancement
See the full career path from Solar Photovoltaic Installers →
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.