Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in California
Solar Photovoltaic Installers in California earn a median of $60,600 a year ($29.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,770 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $53,140. California ranks 8th of 32 states for solar photovoltaic installers pay. There are 0.38 solar photovoltaic installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for solar photovoltaic installers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 25th percentile | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| Median | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| 75th percentile | $72,660 | $34.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,770 | $40.27 |
| Average (mean) | $63,280 | $30.42 |
Half of solar photovoltaic installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,330.77 |
| Weekly | $1,165.38 |
| Hourly | $29.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,150 | 710 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $71,630 | 280 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $69,550 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,260 | n/a |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,810 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,340 | 550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $61,020 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,050 | 790 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $59,960 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,930 | 700 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,920 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $59,650 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $59,600 | 1,930 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $59,110 | 120 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,220 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,990 | 370 |
Highest-paying states for solar photovoltaic installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $78,950 |
| Hawaii | $70,370 |
| Nevada | $67,810 |
| Oregon | $66,320 |
| Ohio | $62,400 |
| Washington | $61,630 |
| Maine | $61,210 |
| California | $60,600 |
| Illinois | $59,630 |
| Massachusetts | $59,180 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2231. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solar photovoltaic installer make in California?
The median salary for solar photovoltaic installers in California is $60,600 a year, or $29.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid solar photovoltaic installers make in California?
The top 10% of solar photovoltaic installers in California earn at least $83,770 a year. The top 25% earn $72,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for solar photovoltaic installers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,070 a year, and a quarter of solar photovoltaic installers earn $50,140 or less.
How many solar photovoltaic installers work in California?
About 6,830 solar photovoltaic installers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.