California Median
$60,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $53,140
State Rank
#8 of 32
6,830 employed here
How much does a Solar Photovoltaic Installer make in California?
A Solar Photovoltaic Installer working in California earns a median salary of $60,600 per year, or about $29.13 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $53,140 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,070 while the top 10% make $83,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,140 and $72,660 a year.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,140 | $24.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,660 | $34.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,770 | $40.27 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 32 states and territories for Solar Photovoltaic Installer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in other states
New Jersey $78,950Hawaii $70,370Nevada $67,810Oregon $66,320Ohio $62,400Washington $61,630Maine $61,210Illinois $59,630Massachusetts $59,180Iowa $56,740New York $56,160Connecticut $55,590Arizona $51,160Florida $50,550South Carolina $50,490Kansas $49,990Utah $49,980Wisconsin $49,770Colorado $49,730Vermont $49,490Virginia $49,190New Mexico $48,490Texas $48,240Georgia $47,790Pennsylvania $47,760Michigan $47,080Indiana $46,140Maryland $45,430Arkansas $44,820North Carolina $43,860South Dakota $42,380
Working as a Solar Photovoltaic Installer in California
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Solar Photovoltaic Installers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($60,600) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Solar Photovoltaic Installer make in California?
The median Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in California is $60,600 per year, or about $29.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,070 at the entry level to $83,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Solar Photovoltaic Installers about 14% more than the national median of $53,140. California ranks 8th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Solar Photovoltaic Installers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,600 a year. About 6,830 Solar Photovoltaic Installers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.