Solar photovoltaic installers earned median annual salaries of $48,800 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Salaries ranged from less than $37,920 to $73,560 or more.
In 2024, the Association of Energy Engineers surveyed members, non-members, and certified individuals in the energy management and energy efficiency fields regarding their compensation. About 14.6 percent of respondents reported annual salaries of $75,000 to $100,000 in 2023. Salaries ranged from less than $10,000 to $300,000 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 2023: chemical, $75,650 to $176,420+; civil, $63,220 to $150,640+; electrical, $69,320 to $172,050+; industrial, $65,320 to $142,220+; materials, $63,340 to $165,580+; and mechanical, $64,560 to $157,470+.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $46,420 to $105,320 or more; civil engineering technicians, $39,120 to $91,010+; industrial engineering technicians, $35,850 to $87,790+; and mechanical engineering technicians, $44,110 to $96,740+.
Power plant operators earned salaries that ranged from less than $54,080 to $123,120 or more in May 2023.
Environmental scientists and specialists earned median annual salaries of $78,980 in May 2023. Ten percent of workers earned less than $48,580, and 10 percent earned $133,660 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.
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