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Key takeaways
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Industry Growth: The US solar workforce is projected to double over the next decade, with over 280,000 people currently employed in solar.
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Compensation Trends: Average solar job salaries vary, but many roles offer competitive pay and rapid advancement, with top sales consultants earning over $150,000 annually.
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Hiring Challenges: The industry faces a significant labor shortage, particularly for skilled technical and management positions, creating strong opportunities for qualified candidates.
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Top Employers: Companies like The AES Corporation, First Solar, NextEra Energy, and Sunrun are recognized for employee satisfaction, benefits, and career development programs.
The US solar industry is a significant and growing employer within the renewable energy sector. It currently employs over 280,000 people across more than 10,000 businesses.¹ This sector accounts for over 60% of all jobs in US renewable energy generation. The industry's growth is driven by increasing demand for renewable energy and federal incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).²
Projections indicate substantial growth for the solar and storage workforce. The US solar and storage workforce is projected to double in size over the next decade . Employment in solar electric power generation is forecast to surge by 180.2% from 2024 to 2034 , making it one of the fastest-growing industries. Solar PV installer employment is also projected to increase by 42% from 2024 to 2034, 14 times faster than the average for all occupations².
Solar Industry Compensation
Salaries in the solar industry vary widely based on role, experience, and location. Salary estimates can also vary significantly depending on the data source, specific job definitions, and methodology used. According to ZipRecruiter data from August 2026, the average annual pay for a "Solar" job in the US is $88,094, translating to approximately $42.35 per hour. This figure means about $1,694 per week or $7,341 per month³.
Most salaries for general solar jobs fall between $59,000 (25th percentile) and $112,000 (75th percentile) annually, with top earners reaching $125,000 per year. The median wage for these jobs is $87.2K per year³. However, Salary.com (July 2026) provides a higher average, stating that "Solar Energy Jobs" in the US average $132,665 annually, or $64 per hour. This source indicates most professionals in these roles earn between $117,920 and $150,760, with top earners making up to $167,236 per year.⁴
Pay by Role
Different roles within the solar industry command different compensation levels. Field-based positions such as installers, technical roles like engineers, and sales consultants each have distinct earning potentials.
Solar Installers typically earn between $19 and $35 per hour. The national median for experienced field workers is around $24 to $26 per hour. Entry-level solar installer helpers generally start at $17 to $20 per hour. Lead installers and foremen on commercial and utility-scale projects can earn $30 to $40 or more per hour. Utility-scale projects often offer higher pay compared to residential installations.⁵
For Solar Engineers, the average annual salary in the US is $130,175, or $65.88 per hour. Entry-level positions start around $101,875 per year, while experienced engineers can earn up to $177,880 annually⁶. Top Solar Sales Consultants show significant earning potential, with many regularly making $150,000 to $300,000+ annually⁷.
Geographic Pay Variations
Location significantly influences earnings in the solar industry. Solar Energy Jobs in the District of Columbia, for instance, often earn 10.7% above national averages⁴. Cities such as Avenal, Napa, and Wasco in California also report salaries higher than the national average for solar jobs³.
For solar installers, top-paying states include California, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Jersey⁵. Similarly, California ($141,611), Maryland ($137,031), and Virginia ($134,311) are among the top-paying states for solar engineers⁶.
Top Solar Companies for Employees
Evaluating the best solar companies to work for involves looking beyond just salary figures. Factors like benefits, work-life balance, opportunities for advancement, and company culture play a crucial role in employee satisfaction. The renewables sector is seeing rising salaries, with 51% of professionals reporting a pay increase in 2026 . Many solar jobs offer competitive pay, benefits, and advancement comparable to roles in other industries⁸.
Employee satisfaction is a key indicator of a good workplace. Companies like The AES Corporation report high employee affirmation of their workplace culture.
Several companies stand out for their employee well-being and growth opportunities as of 2025/2026⁹:
The AES Corporation: Recognized as a "Great Place to Work," with 79% of employees affirming it as a great workplace. They offer competitive benefits including health, dental, vision, paid time off, and a 401(k) with a 100% match. The company also provides professional development, a collaborative culture, and flexible work arrangements, including remote options.
Sunrun: Known for robust employee benefits, paid time off, health insurance, and advancement opportunities. Sunrun also features among companies for solar installers and sales consultants.
First Solar: This company focuses on sustainable manufacturing and offers comprehensive benefits and retirement plans.
NextEra Energy: A leader in renewable energy, NextEra Energy provides career advancement programs and tuition reimbursement⁸.
Solar America: Employees report high satisfaction across multiple metrics, including work-life balance (4.8/5), job security and advancement (4.8/5), management (4.9/5), and culture (4.9/5) .
Elite Solar: Also mentioned for overall employee well-being and growth⁹.
Specific Role Employers
For those seeking roles as Solar Installers, companies frequently mentioned in 2024 data include Aerotek, CLP Resources, Solar.com, PeopleReady, Tradesmen International, Eastridge Workforce Solutions, TriAd Marketing & Media, Helix Electric, and Sunrun .
For Solar Sales Consultants, companies identified in 2024 data include Blue Raven Solar, Momentum Solar, Verengo Solar, Sunrun, American Direct, Vivint Solar, Trinity Solar, LGCY Power, and REC . High earning potential, job security, and purpose-driven work make solar sales an attractive career option due to industry growth⁷. For those looking at consumer-facing solar companies, consider reviewing pages such as Best Solar Companies to understand market leaders.
Newer companies also present exciting opportunities. Top solar startups in 2026, based on Wellfound and Glassdoor ratings, include Aurora Solar, Omnidian, and Wunder . For commercial solar O&M (Operations & Maintenance), SunUp Solar Tech Services, NovaSource Power Services, and Greenskies Clean Focus are noted in 2026 .
Career Development and Industry Outlook
The solar industry offers significant opportunities for career development. Rapid advancement is common, especially for entry-level positions. A 2017 survey found that average employees often see a 45% wage increase in less than one year of experience⁹.
Despite its growth, the industry faces a critical labor shortage, particularly for skilled roles such as engineers, electricians, and project managers . The US solar industry is projected to have a near-term gap of 53,000 positions by late 2026 to meet installation targets. In 2024, 90% of solar employers struggled to fill positions , with 47% finding management roles hard to hire . By 2025, 86% of solar employers reported difficulty filling open positions¹.
The main reason for hiring difficulty in 2024 was a lack of experience, training, or technical skills, cited by 53% of respondents . The talent gap is particularly pronounced for mid-level technical and management roles in the solar industry. This shortage means that qualified candidates often find strong demand for their skills. The industry actively seeks to attract veterans and workers from fossil fuel industries to help bridge this talent gap. An apprenticeship mandate in 2026 adds further pressure to the existing labor shortages¹.
Unionization within the solar sector is higher than the national private sector average, with 10.3% of solar workers nationwide unionized as of 2020⁹. This trend can influence wages, benefits, and working conditions for employees. For those interested in the broader economic landscape of the industry, how to start a solar company can offer further context on market demand and employer needs.²
The US solar industry continues to be a dynamic and expanding field, offering a wide range of career paths with competitive compensation and significant opportunities for growth. For professionals considering a move into renewable energy, the solar sector presents a compelling landscape for long-term career development and job satisfaction.
Sources:
US solar faces 53,000-worker gap ahead of 2026 deadline, Ryan Kennedy, 2026 (pv-magazine.com)
Careers in Solar Energy to Power Up in 2026, Goodwin Recruiting, 2025 (goodwinrecruiting.com)
Solar Salary (ziprecruiter.com)
Solar Energy Jobs Salary (salary.com)
Solar Installer Pay: What You Actually Earn in 2026 by State and Market, Daniel Donovan, 2026 (skillit.com)
solar engineer Salary in United States of America — Average Salary (talent.com)
The Solar Team, The Solar Team (tstpros.com)
The 10 Best Solar Companies to Work for in 2025 (zerohero.net)
seia.org (seia.org)
Will is a Home Improvement Editor with a passion for helping homeowners make confident, well-informed decisions about their homes. He specializes in reviewing and refining content covering home renovations, solar energy, roofing, HVAC, insulation, windows, flooring, plumbing, electrical systems, and other key areas of residential improvement. With a strong background in research and technical writing, Will is committed to ensuring every article ...
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