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Solar Energy Installation Managers Career, Salary and Skills

Solar Energy Installation Managers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $79,920 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 812,210. Wage data is published for 447 locations.

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Occupation description

Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.

O*NET code

47-1011.03

Job zone

3

Typical education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

Experience

Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

National salary and employment

Median annual

$79,920

Hourly median

$38.42

Employment

812,210

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$53,280
10th
$63,400
25th
$79,920
Median
$101,460
75th
$128,260
90th

Top skills

SkillImportanceLevel
Time Management3.753.75
Management of Personnel Resources3.753.88
Monitoring3.753.75
Coordination3.753.75
Reading Comprehension3.623.75
Speaking3.623.62
Critical Thinking3.503.62
Active Listening3.503.62
Persuasion3.383.38
Instructing3.383.25
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Typical tasks

  • 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.
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Technology

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Bentley STAAD
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Cost estimating software
  • Esri ArcGIS
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Mapping software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
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Solar Energy Installation Managers salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

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Related careers

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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.