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Solar Energy Systems Engineers Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Solar Energy Systems Engineers in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $151,340, with 9,230 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $83,700 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 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

$151,340

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$72.76

Employment

9,230

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$83,700
10th
$101,990
25th
$151,340
Median
$185,220
75th
$195,190
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$151,340

Median annual · 2025

United States

$122,930

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 23.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $28,410).

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.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC