Solar photovoltaic installers earned median annual salaries of $44,890 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Salaries ranged from less than $31,600 to $63,880 or more.
In 2019, the Association of Energy Engineers surveyed members, non-members, and certified individuals in the energy management and energy efficiency fields regarding their compensation. About 25.6 percent of respondents reported annual salaries of $75,000 to $100,000. Salaries ranged from less than $25,000 to $200,000 or more.
The DOL does not provide comprehensive salary information for solar energy industry workers (except solar installers). It does provide salary data for engineers, technicians, power plant operators, and environmental scientists in all industries. It reports that engineers, by specialty, earned the following salary ranges in May 2019: chemical, $66,810 to $176,090+; civil, $55,380 to $144,560+; electrical, $63,020 to $155,880+; industrial, $57,290 to $134,070+; materials, $57,340 to $148,960+; and mechanical, $57,130 to $138,020+.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $39,190 to $96,690 or more; civil engineering technicians, $33,880 to $80,650+; industrial engineering technicians, $35,850 to $87,790+; and mechanical engineering technicians, $35,140 to $88,640+.
Power plant operators earned salaries that ranged from less than $45,970 to $108,380 or more in May 2019.
Environmental scientists and specialists earned median annual salaries of $71,360 in May 2019. Ten percent of workers earned less than $42,810, and 10 percent earned $124,760 or more.
Support workers in the solar energy industry earn a wide range of salaries, from starting salaries of $20,000 for clerical support workers, to $200,000 or more for lawyers and top executives.
Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health (and sometimes dental), insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed workers must provide their own benefits.
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
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