State of Solar 2025: 280K Jobs and 802% More Businesses Than in 2006

The U.S. solar workforce has entered a maturity phase, employing over 280,000 workers as of late 2025. While residential installations faced headwinds following the transition to NEM 3.0 and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the industry remains a primary driver of domestic energy employment.

Current data indicates that solar energy accounts for more than 60% of all jobs within the U.S. renewable energy generation sector. Efficiency gains and the expansion of utility-scale storage have allowed the workforce to maintain steady numbers despite shifting policy landscapes.

Here are some quick statistics about the solar workforce in the United States:

• Total Solar Jobs: 280,119

• Total Jobs in Battery Storage: 93,497 

• Solar Business Count: 11,177 companies (an 802% increase over 20 years)

• Median Installer Pay: $51,860/year ($24.93/hour)

• Fastest Growing Sector: Operations & Maintenance (+116% in 5 years)

• Top State for Solar Workers: California (78,982 jobs)

• Projected 10-Year Growth: 42% (Much faster than average)

1. Solar remains the leading employer in U.S. renewables

Solar power isn’t just a leader in clean energy production; it’s a job-creating machine. Today, solar energy accounts for more than 60% of all jobs in U.S. renewable energy generation.¹

The industry currently supports 280,119 workers. While the raw number of jobs has stabilized after years of explosive growth, this is largely due to increased labor efficiency.²  

The expansion of energy storage has led to significant job growth, reaching 93,497 workers in 2024, a 19.81% increase since 2020.³ 

The solar market was valued at roughly $71.3 billion in 2024, underscoring the massive financial scale behind these workforce numbers.⁴

2. The number of solar panel installation businesses increased by 802% over 20 years

There are now 11,177 solar installation businesses in the U.S.. In 2006, there were only 1,238 companies in the sector—meaning 9,939 new businesses and an impressive 802.83% increase over the past 20 years.⁵

3. Installers in Rhode Island Earn Double the National Average

Pay for solar professionals remains competitive as demand for skilled labor stays high. The median pay for Solar Photovoltaic Installers is $51,860 per year, or roughly $24.93 per hour.⁶

However, the location significantly impacts the earning potential. Installers in Rhode Island lead the nation with a median wage of $49.94 per hour, that’s 100.32% more than the average. Other top-paying states include⁷:

• Nevada: $31.78/hr

• New Jersey: $31.09/hr

• Vermont: $30.88/hr

• Hawaii: $30.16/hr

4. California lost about 1,000 solar jobs 

California remains the solar titan with 78,982 jobs, though it lost roughly 1,000 positions in 2024 following the transition to NEM 3.0. Despite this correction, the demand for solar installers remains concentrated in a few key hubs⁸: 

• California: 78,982

• Florida: 14,303

• Texas: 12,820

• New York: 11,923

• Massachusetts: 11,365

5. The highest number of solar jobs is in the installation and project development sector

The residential sector saw a downturn in 2024, with installations declining by 32%. Most solar installation jobs are in the residential sector, accounting for 45%. Despite this decline, the Installation & Project Development sector still holds the majority of jobs. Here’s an overview of all sectors²: 

• Installation & Project Development still makes up the bulk of the industry (64%), and has added the highest number of new positions, with 24,103 jobs created between 2020 and 2024.

• Operations & Maintenance has seen the fastest growth over the past five years, with jobs increasing 116.66% as existing systems require professional servicing.

• Over the past ten years, the Wholesale Trade & Distribution sector experienced the largest growth, with 42.04% more jobs.

• The Manufacturing sector experienced the slowest growth, with a slight decline of 2.35% between 2023 and 2024.

6. The industry is younger and more inclusive

The solar workforce is famously younger than the overall U.S. labor market, with a high concentration of workers under the age of 35, reflecting this industry’s rapid recent growth⁸. 59% of solar installers are between the ages of 20 and 34.¹⁰

Diversity metrics are steadily improving:

• Women now constitute 29% of the solar workforce.

• Employees with disabilities represent 2.5% of the industry.

• "Red States" are seeing some of the fastest job growth, with Ohio (5%), Georgia (4.5%), and Texas (3%) all outperforming the national growth average this year.¹¹

7. A "much faster than average" future for installers

If you're wondering if a career in solar is a safe long-term bet, the data says yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 42% growth rate for solar installers through 2034.

This is categorized as "much faster than average" compared to nearly any other American occupation. With roughly 12,000 new positions expected to open up, the industry’s biggest challenge remains finding enough skilled workers to meet the growing demand for clean energy.⁶

A resilient path forward for solar careers

The 2025 solar landscape is one of maturation and strategic shifting. As solar energy cements its place as the primary driver of the U.S. renewable energy transition, the opportunities for workers are no longer just about initial installations. The rise of battery storage, the massive growth in Operations & Maintenance, and beyond suggest that the solar industry isn't just creating jobs, it’s creating long-term, high-value careers. For installers, engineers, and distributors, the next decade promises a future that is, quite literally, much faster than average.

Sources:

1. PVTECH: Solar accounts for more than 60% of all jobs in US renewable energy generation

2. IREC: National Solar Jobs Census 

3. IREC: Battery Storage and Clean Energy Job Trends

4. SEIA: U.S. Solar Market Insight

5. IBISWorld: Solar Panel Installation Business Statistics

6. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Solar Photovoltaic Installers Occupational Outlook

7. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)

8. IREC: Solar Jobs by State

9. IREC: Demographics and Diversity in Solar

10. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employed persons by detailed occupation and age

11. ConsumerAffairs: Solar Workforce Statistics