Solar photovoltaic installers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$51,860
~$25/hr · ~$4,322/mo
US Jobs
29K
Much faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core of this occupation is highly physical, involving manual labor, climbing roofs, and using hand tools in unpredictable outdoor environments. While AI might assist with peripheral tasks like system design optimization or site measurements via computer vision, the actual installation and maintenance require human dexterity and physical presence that current and near-future AI/robotics cannot replicate.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno, NVBEST VALUE | $76,530 | Average (98.0) | $78,072 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $66,070 | Average (98.3) | $67,222 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,900 | Above avg (113.1) | $64,480 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $57,200 | Below avg (93.2) | $61,371 |
| Modesto, CA | $64,030 | Above avg (105.1) | $60,907 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $70,390 | Above avg (117.6) | $59,880 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67,440 | Above avg (112.8) | $59,801 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $56,550 | Average (97.3) | $58,091 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,150 | Above avg (109.1) | $56,971 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $56,020 | Average (98.9) | $56,640 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $62,190 | Above avg (110.3) | $56,407 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,580 | Above avg (109.4) | $56,310 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $58,100 | Above avg (103.2) | $56,307 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,830 | Above avg (106.7) | $56,066 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,130 | Above avg (107.3) | $56,018 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
+42% (Much faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$25/hr
Monthly Income
~$4,322/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)