The average salary of a solar roofer in the U.S is $51,791 a year. The only people who make more on a list of top 5 construction jobs are construction managers and electricians at number 1 and 2 respectively. Plumbers and glaziers make less, rounding out the list at numbers 4 and 5.
Solar is one of the biggest growth sectors in the U.S economy. It’s no wonder solar installer is one of the fastest-growing jobs. Currently, there are over 3,326,855 solar employees. That is more than the oil, coal, and natural gas industries combined.
At present, solar accounts for less than 2% of total U.S electricity generation. A study done by the National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL), solar on rooftops would be enough to provide up to 40% of total U.S electricity demand.
It is safe to say that the solar job market is highly likely to keep growing as the country shifts away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
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How do you get involved in solar? What can you expect to get paid as a solar roofer in California or Kansas and how much does a solar energy salesperson make? In this article, we will look at the road to becoming a solar roofer or salesperson. If you have a passion for solar or you’re looking to find a good career in solar then this article will answer the biggest questions you have.
Where Do Solar Installers Get Paid the Most?
The national average salary of a solar roofer is $24.90 per hour or $4,316 per month. That brings them to $51,791 per annum. The highest paying city for a solar installer in the U.S is San Jose, CA. There one can expect to make $29.96 per hour or $5,192 per month. That means they would be bringing in $62,309 per annum.
Of the top 5 highest paying cities for solar installers in the U.S, four are in the state of California. That’s no surprise since California has the highest demand for solar.
STATE | SOLAR INSTALLED (MW) | SOLAR JOBS | SOLAR INSTALLERS |
California | 35,950 | 68,677 | 897 |
Texas | 13,947 | 10,088 | 202 |
Florida | 9,012 | 11,219 | 192 |
North Carolina | 7,935 | 6,107 | 84 |
Arizona | 5,743 | 7,346 | 138 |
The salary range for a solar installer is between $38,000 to $62,000. Top earners make around $69,500 per year across the U.S. The variation in earnings is most likely influenced by your skill level, years of experience, and location.
CITY | HOURLY WAGE | MONTHLY PAY | YEARLY SALARY |
1. San Jose, CA | $29.96 | $5,192 | $62,309 |
2. Jackson, WY | $29.69 | $5,147 | $61,795 |
3. Oakland, CA | $29.65 | $5,139 | $61,664 |
4. Hayward, CA | $29.08 | $5,041 | $60,488 |
5. Vallejo, CA | $28.99 | $5,025 | $60,300 |
What Does a Solar Installer Do?
The primary tasks of a solar installer are the design, installation, servicing, and maintenance of a solar energy system. This includes installing solar panels and connecting them to the other components of a solar system, which are batteries, inverters, and charge controllers.
As a solar installer, you will be responsible for the assembly and set up of a rooftop or ground-mounted solar system. The first task of an installer is the design of the solar system.
Designing a solar system.
The design of a photovoltaic system involves:
- Assessing the energy demands of a client.
- Working out the size of the system needed to meet the energy demands.
- Advise on what type of solar system configuration is best suited for the client’s requirements.
Installing a solar system
Following your assessment and design, you will then install the solar system. This involves:
- Determining the best place to install solar panels. This is a site assessment to find where the solar panels will receive the most sunlight.
- The solar panels are then installed either on the roof or the ground depending on the site assessment. Installation is done according to building codes and standards.
- Solar panels are connected to the rest of the system as well as the electrical system. Connection to the electrical system can be done by the installer or by an electrician.
- Ongoing maintenance during the lifespan of the system.
How Do You Become a Solar Installer?
There are several paths to becoming a solar installer. Typically, you will have to attend a technical college to learn solar system design and installation. After which you will need specific on-the-job training.
Certain professionals in related industries like electricians and roofers will have a shorter path to becoming solar installers. In their case, all they might need is to apprentice with an experienced installer. It helps to know about electricity but it is not a strict requirement.
Basic math skills are required as you will need to calculate angles, sizes, and measurements to be able to design a solar system. Mechanical skills are required as well since solar panel installation involves construction.
Solar installation is a labor-intensive job. Solar panels weigh up to 60 pounds each so some degree of physical fitness is necessary. (Source)
Do you need to be certified to work as a solar installer?
Licensing for solar installers is not strictly mandatory yet. Requirements vary by state. Some states have made licensing mandatory. Generally, certification will help you stand out against competitors.
Certifications demonstrate your skills and knowledge. One example is The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). It is a voluntary nationally-recognized certification for solar panel and solar-heating system installers. You can find out more about licensing and certification here. (Source)
Also, check out Do You Need To Be MCS Certified To Install Solar Panels (Contractor Guide)?
In Comparison, How Much Do Solar Energy Salesmen Make?
A solar energy salesperson makes an average of $81,635 per year. This varies depending on the specific job description. A door-to-door salesperson can earn up to $92,078 per year while a lead generation specialist might take home around $88,002 per year.
For more on this, we highly recommend that you check out our post Is Solar Panel Sales A Good Job? Potential & How Much Does It Pay!
Solar energy salesmen earn mostly on a commission basis. Some might have a flat base salary to cover their expenses. The commissions can be structured in different ways. The typical structuring is to use a contract model. Here you are paid a flat percentage on the size of the contract.