Solar Energy Systems Engineers Career, Salary and Skills
Solar Energy Systems Engineers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $122,930 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 154,070. Wage data is published for 301 locations.
Occupation description
Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.
O*NET code
17-2199.11
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$122,930
Hourly median
$59.10
Employment
154,070
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Mathematics | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.88 |
Typical tasks
- Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
- Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
- Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
Technology
- Ansys Fluent
- Aurora HelioScope
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD LT
- Autodesk Revit
- Bash
- C++
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Data acquisition software
- Data visualization software
- Database software
- Debugging software
- Energy-10
Solar Energy Systems Engineers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in CAMedian $130,850 · Employment 28,610
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in TXMedian $115,810 · Employment 10,820
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $151,340 · Employment 9,230
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in FLMedian $105,410 · Employment 8,600
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in MIMedian $121,000 · Employment 7,700
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $125,060 · Employment 7,530
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in MDMedian $129,770 · Employment 7,340
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in OHMedian $120,470 · Employment 7,000
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in LAMedian $99,070 · Employment 6,310
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in Detroit, MIMedian $126,250 · Employment 5,800
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in New York, NYMedian $135,300 · Employment 5,780
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in NYMedian $117,600 · Employment 5,760
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- Hydroelectric Production ManagersNational median $126,060
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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.