Solar Installer Jobs and Apprenticeships: How to Apply

Looking for a solar installer job or a paid apprenticeship? Here is where openings are listed, what entry-level and experienced roles pay, how to apply and how to tell a real offer from a scam. Galo Hoje does not list or fill jobs; the buttons on this page open public, government-backed search tools.

Where solar openings are listed

• Installer and contractor career pages: residential solar companies and electrical contractors post helper and installer roles directly.
• Apprenticeship.gov: registered apprenticeships with paid on-the-job training.
• CareerOneStop and state job banks: searches across many job boards by ZIP code.
• Community colleges and trade schools: solar programs often have employer partners and job boards.
• Local unions: electrical training programs sometimes include solar work.

Pay by level

A reality check on the headline number: even the top tenth of solar PV installers earn less than $48 an hour nationally. Reaching that level generally means becoming a licensed electrician working in solar, a lead installer in a high-pay market or a supervisor. The occupation is also small, about 31,000 workers nationwide, so openings cluster in states with strong solar markets. Hiring follows local incentives and the seasons, and the BLS lists falls, electrical shocks and burns among the job’s hazards.

Location changes the picture a lot. States with large solar markets and higher living costs tend to post higher hourly rates, while rural crews may pay less but offer more overtime. When you compare offers, ask whether the rate is for helper or installer work, whether travel time is paid and how raises are tied to certifications.

Using national BLS figures from May 2025: the lowest-paid tenth of solar PV installers earn under $20 an hour, the median is about $25.55, and the top tenth earn over $38.45. Electricians, a common next step, have a median near $30 and a top tenth above $52. Helper roles typically start near the bottom of the installer range, and pay rises as you take on wiring and lead responsibilities.

How to apply

What to prepare

Employers mostly want to see that you show up, follow instructions and work safely. A short note about why solar interests you, plus any reference who can vouch for your reliability on a physical job, can carry more weight than years of unrelated experience.

A short resume works best. Highlight anything hands-on: construction, roofing, landscaping, warehouse work, auto repair or even serious home projects. List the tools you can handle safely, any OSHA safety course you have taken, a valid driver’s license if you have one, and your willingness to work outdoors and at heights. If you have started a NABCEP-registered course, list it.

Red flags in solar job ads

• Paying for the jobThe FTC warns that honest employers do not charge you for training, kits or certifications to get hired.
• Guaranteed top payNo entry-level role reliably pays $48 an hour; treat that promise as a warning sign.
• Commission-only “installer” jobsSome ads are really door-to-door sales roles; check what the work is.
• Fake checksA check you must deposit and partly return is a known scam.
• No company detailsA real contractor has a business name, address and license you can look up.

After you are hired

The first months are about learning the crew’s routine and the company’s installation standards. Keep notes on the tasks you master, ask to try new ones once you are comfortable, and let your lead know if you plan to pursue an apprenticeship or certification; some employers help pay for it.

Your first days usually mix forms, a safety briefing and shadowing someone experienced. You will usually start carrying materials and helping with racking before moving on to more technical tasks. Ask your lead how the company tracks progress and what it takes to move up a pay step.

Homes, businesses or solar farms

Home-installation crews travel short distances and finish jobs quickly. Commercial work covers larger roofs and parking structures with longer projects. Utility-scale sites are large ground-mounted fields, often far from cities, sometimes with travel and long stretches of overtime. Each pays and feels differently, so think about which schedule suits you.

Safety training you will get

Because installers face fall, shock and burn hazards, employers train crews on harnesses and anchors, ladder safety, lifting, and electrical lockout procedures. Do not skip any of it: following safety rules protects you and is one of the first things leads look at when deciding who to trust with more responsibility.

Tools and gear

Employers usually provide the big tools and protective gear like harnesses and hard hats, while you may need your own work boots, gloves and basic hand tools. Ask before you start what the company provides, whether there is a tool allowance, and how protective gear is replaced when it wears out.

Start your search

Open the Apprenticeship Finder or CareerOneStop and save listings near you. To review pay and requirements again, go back to the solar installer overview.

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; NABCEP; FTC, “Job Scams,” reviewed October 2026. Galo Hoje is an information site, not an employer or recruiter.