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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The data below covers the full spectrum — from six-figure metros to markets where the math is tighter. The national median salary for Solar Panel Installers in 2026 is $54,703, with entry-level positions averaging $39,386 and senior roles reaching $77,678. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $99,640, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Solar Panel Installer falls within the Construction & Trades sector, specifically in Construction. The typical education path involves High school + training. The career outlook? Very high demand. Work style is outdoor — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. That salary-to-cost ratio is genuinely competitive.
$60,630 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Solar Panel Installer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $99,640 — $60,630 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,010). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The salary distribution for Solar Panel Installers reveals a $38,292 spread from entry to senior. At $54,703, the median sits $25,664 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $39,386 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $77,678 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $93,060 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $39,323 (average of the bottom 3). That $53,737 delta is real money — $4,478/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Solar Panel Installer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $99,640 — $60,630 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,010). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $39,386 | $54,703 | $77,678 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £21,649 | £30,067 | £42,695 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$34,214 | CA$47,520 | CA$67,478 |
| Australia | 13 | A$42,425 | A$58,924 | A$83,673 |
| Sweden | 24 | 234,324 kr | 325,450 kr | 462,140 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $47,537 | $66,023 | $93,753 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $45,938 | $63,803 | $90,600 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $45,684 | $63,450 | $90,099 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $42,300 | $58,750 | $83,425 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $41,792 | $58,045 | $82,424 |
| Washington | 8 | $40,989 | $56,929 | $80,839 |
| New York | 5 | $38,577 | $53,580 | $76,083 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $38,578 | $53,580 | $76,084 |
| Florida | 22 | $38,285 | $53,174 | $75,507 |
| Colorado | 11 | $37,624 | $52,255 | $74,203 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $37,562 | $52,170 | $74,081 |
| Nevada | 5 | $37,495 | $52,076 | $73,948 |
| Arizona | 12 | $37,309 | $51,818 | $73,581 |
| Oregon | 5 | $37,224 | $51,700 | $73,414 |
| Idaho | 3 | $37,111 | $51,543 | $73,192 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $36,818 | $51,136 | $72,613 |
| Utah | 4 | $36,716 | $50,995 | $72,413 |
| Virginia | 7 | $36,112 | $50,156 | $71,221 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $35,645 | $49,507 | $70,299 |
| Alaska | 1 | $35,532 | $49,350 | $70,077 |
| Illinois | 5 | $35,126 | $48,786 | $69,276 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $34,254 | $47,574 | $67,556 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $33,840 | $47,000 | $66,740 |
| Montana | 1 | $33,840 | $47,000 | $66,740 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $33,727 | $46,843 | $66,517 |
| Texas | 40 | $33,561 | $46,612 | $66,189 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $33,502 | $46,530 | $66,073 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $33,333 | $46,295 | $65,739 |
| Georgia | 6 | $33,220 | $46,138 | $65,517 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $33,163 | $46,060 | $65,405 |
| Kansas | 4 | $32,994 | $45,825 | $65,072 |
| Michigan | 6 | $32,881 | $45,668 | $64,849 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $32,487 | $45,120 | $64,071 |
| Maryland | 1 | $32,486 | $45,120 | $64,070 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $32,148 | $44,650 | $63,403 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $32,148 | $44,650 | $63,403 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $31,302 | $43,475 | $61,735 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $31,133 | $43,240 | $61,401 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $30,710 | $42,653 | $60,567 |
| Missouri | 4 | $30,710 | $42,653 | $60,567 |
| Alabama | 5 | $30,592 | $42,488 | $60,333 |
| Indiana | 3 | $30,118 | $41,830 | $59,399 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $30,118 | $41,830 | $59,399 |
| Iowa | 2 | $29,779 | $41,360 | $58,731 |
| Ohio | 6 | $29,723 | $41,282 | $58,620 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $28,426 | $39,480 | $56,062 |
The state salary map for Solar Panel Installers: California at $66,023, Massachusetts at $63,803, Hawaii at $63,450 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($39,480), Ohio ($41,282), Iowa ($41,360) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $26,543.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($99,640 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $47,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $99,640 | 212 | $47,000 | $61,792 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $93,060 | 198 | $47,000 | $58,038 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $86,480 | 184 | $47,000 | $54,284 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $85,070 | 181 | $47,000 | $53,479 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $83,660 | 178 | $47,000 | $52,675 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $83,190 | 177 | $47,000 | $52,407 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $83,190 | 177 | $47,000 | $52,407 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $81,310 | 173 | $47,000 | $51,334 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $81,310 | 173 | $47,000 | $51,334 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $79,430 | 169 | $47,000 | $50,262 |
Career economics for Solar Panel Installers: entry level averages $39,386, mid-career hits $54,703, and experienced professionals reach $77,678. That's a 2.0× multiplier from start to peak. The path typically requires High school + training, and the work is outdoor. The outlook: very high demand. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
The weighted national median salary for Solar Panel Installers is $54,703 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $39,386, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $77,678.
The highest-paying city for Solar Panel Installers is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $99,640. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($99,640), Santa Clara ($93,060), Irvine ($86,480). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Solar Panel Installer salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $39,010. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Solar Panel Installers (10th percentile) average $39,386 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $71,741. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Solar Panel Installers average $77,678 nationally — $38,292 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Solar Panel Installers can earn up to $141,489.
The top-paying states for Solar Panel Installers are California ($66,023 median), Massachusetts ($63,803 median), Hawaii ($63,450 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Solar Panel Installer involves High school + training. The field is in the Construction & Trades sector (Construction), and the career outlook is very high demand. Work style is typically outdoor.
With a national median of $54,703 and representation across 288 metro areas, Solar Panel Installer offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $38,292 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: very high demand.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.