CDCareer Decision

Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in Chico, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Solar Energy Systems Engineers in Chico, CA have a median annual salary of $131,660, with 40 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $65,630 at the 10th percentile to $159,180 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$131,660

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$63.30

Employment

40

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$65,630
10th
$101,540
25th
$131,660
Median
$159,180
75th
$159,180
90th

Local compared with national

Chico, CA

$131,660

Median annual · 2025

United States

$122,930

Median annual · 2025

The Chico, CA median is 7.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $8,730).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  7. 7.MathematicsImportance 3.4
  8. 8.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4
  9. 9.ScienceImportance 3.3
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  11. 11.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  12. 12.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • 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
  • ETAP

Common 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.
  • Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
  • Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.