Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary in California
The median pay for a solar photovoltaic installers in California is $60,790/year ($29.23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in California?
About solar photovoltaic installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level solar photovoltaic installers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $95K or more - a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $104K | +100% | N/A |
| Nevada | $66K | +27% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +25% | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $64K | +24% | 60 |
| Hawaii | $63K | +21% | 370 |
| California | $61K | +17% | 8,970 |
| Oregon | $59K | +13% | 240 |
| Maryland | $58K | +13% | 490 |
| Kansas | $57K | +10% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $55K | +6% | N/A |
| Michigan | $55K | +6% | 90 |
| Ohio | $54K | +3% | N/A |
| New York | $53K | +2% | N/A |
| Arizona | $50K | -3% | 1,360 |
| South Carolina | $49K | -5% | 270 |
Track solar photovoltaic installers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do solar photovoltaic installers make in California?
The median is $60,790 a year - that works out to about $29.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,050, and experienced solar photovoltaic installers can clear $94,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,077/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 54% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a solar photovoltaic installers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median solar photovoltaic installers salary is worth about $60,790 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do solar photovoltaic installers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.