Solar Energy Installation Managers
SOC code 47-1011 · O*NET-SOC 47-1011.03 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Solar installation managers run crews that fit photovoltaic systems — scheduling jobs, ensuring electrical code compliance and handling inspections. Most worked as solar or electrical installers first, and the occupation has grown with the residential and commercial solar market.
Solar Energy Installation Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$79,920
a year
Hourly
$38.42
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$86,450
$41.56 per hour
Middle 50%
$63,400 – $101,460
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$53,280 – $128,260
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
812,210
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $53,280
- $25.62/hr
- 25th percentile
- $63,400
- $30.48/hr
- Median percentile
- $79,920
- $38.42/hr
- 75th percentile
- $101,460
- $48.78/hr
- 90th percentile
- $128,260
- $61.66/hr
What does a solar energy installation manager do?
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
- Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
- Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- Provide technical assistance to installers, technicians, or other solar professionals in areas such as solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, electrical systems, or mechanical systems.
- Coordinate or schedule building inspections for solar installation projects.
- Perform start-up of systems for testing or customer implementation.
- Identify means to reduce costs, minimize risks, or increase efficiency of solar installation projects.
How to become a solar energy installation manager
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 53% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)53%
- Less than a High School Diploma19%
- Some College Courses10%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%
Common questions
How much does a solar energy installation manager earn?
The national median is $79,920 a year. The full range runs from $53,280 at the 10th percentile to $128,260 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a solar energy installation manager without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Design3.5/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- Transportation3.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Persuasion, Instructing.