Construction & Extraction
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Also called: Installer, Solar Energy Technician, Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer), Solar Installer
US median pay
$63,800
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
42,000
510,600 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
What they do day to day
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
- Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
- Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
- Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
- Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Installation4.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.7/5
- Building and Construction4.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma43%
- Some college25%
- Post-baccalaureate certificate11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.