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Salary comparison

Solar Photovoltaic Installers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Solar Photovoltaic Installers by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Solar Photovoltaic Installers land at $53,140 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: solar photovoltaic installer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Solar Photovoltaic Installers is New Jersey ($78,950); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Solar Photovoltaic Installers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$53,140
$79,920
Hourly rate
$25.55/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,600
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$79,970
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
31,350
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
42.1%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
New Jersey
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Solar Photovoltaic Installers median pay.

State
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
New Jersey
$78,950
$105,510
Hawaii
$70,370
$102,630
Nevada
$67,810
$81,990
Oregon
$66,320
$103,070
Washington
$61,630
$109,570
California
$60,600
$97,680
Illinois
$59,630
$105,750
Massachusetts
$59,180
$97,850
New York
$56,160
$95,700
Connecticut
$55,590
$92,260
Wisconsin
$49,770
$85,350
Colorado
$49,730
$81,230
Vermont
$49,490
$82,490
Pennsylvania
$47,760
$81,540
Indiana
$46,140
$82,530

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Solar Photovoltaic Installers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $53,140 for Solar Photovoltaic Installers versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Solar Photovoltaic Installers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Solar Photovoltaic Installers has the better 10-year outlook at 42.1% projected growth, compared to 5.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Solar Photovoltaic Installers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Solar Photovoltaic Installers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Solar Photovoltaic Installers get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Solar Photovoltaic Installers at $78,950/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Solar Photovoltaic Installers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Solar Photovoltaic Installers earn $78,950 vs. $105,510 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Solar Photovoltaic Installers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a solar photovoltaic installersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →