Do solar installation technicians need a license in Arizona?

No statewide license is required for solar installation technicians in Arizona. Most employers expect industry certifications such as NABCEP PV Associate Certification, and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for solar installation technicians in Arizona?

In Arizona, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Arizona (2026)

Q: How much do solar installation technicians earn in Arizona?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $51,160. Employment concentration in Arizona is about 1.96 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Arizona?

Arizona currently employs approximately 1,280 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 42.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $51,160 ($24.60/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,280 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -3.7% below the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $51,160 ($24.60/hr)
25th percentile: $45,300 per year
75th percentile: $60,500 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $78,780 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,770 per year
Workers employed in Arizona: 1,280
Versus national median: -3.7% below the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.96 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arizona than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arizona employs about 1,280 solar installation technicians earning a median $51,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most solar installation technicians train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Solar Installation Technician Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Central New Mexico Community College	51.8	$2,060 in-state / $8,684 out-of-state	$48,652	31%	Yes*	308 mi
2	Central Arizona College	51.4	$2,250 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state	$48,765	27%	Yes*	35 mi
3	Northland Pioneer College	51.3	$2,232 in-state / $10,320 out-of-state	$62,405	22%	Yes*	164 mi
4	Arizona Western College	51.2	$3,060 in-state / $9,870 out-of-state	$48,286	20%	Yes*	194 mi
5	Tohono O'odham Community College	49.1	$932	Not reported	34%	Yes*	68 mi
6	New Mexico State University-Dona Ana	48.7	$2,322 in-state / $6,360 out-of-state	$54,874	19%	Yes*	258 mi
7	Santa Fe Community College	46.6	$1,851 in-state / $4,131 out-of-state	$53,855	23%	Yes*	357 mi
8	El Paso Community College	46.5	$4,080 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state	$39,712	24%	Yes*	286 mi
9	Coconino Community College	44.5	$2,907 in-state / $9,987 out-of-state	$47,262	24%	Yes*	174 mi
10	Navajo Technical University	43.0	$4,346	Not reported	12%	Yes*	270 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arizona employs approximately 1,280 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,160 ¹. The state’s concentration of solar installation technician jobs is 1.96x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Solar Installation Technician in Arizona, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Arizona): $51,160 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Arizona

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Arizona? Arizona does not require a state license for solar installation technicians, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as NABCEP PV Associate Certification and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the solar installation technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Arizona? No state license is required, but certifications such as NABCEP PV Associate Certification and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

What do solar installation technicians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Arizona is $51,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,770 and experienced professionals can earn $78,780 or more ¹.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Arizona

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arizona training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arizona that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Arizona does not require a statewide license, earn NABCEP PV Associate Certification to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Solar Installation Technician Certification Options in Arizona

Arizona does not require a state license to work as a solar installation technician. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for solar installation technicians include:

NABCEP PV Associate Certification
OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the NABCEP - Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ³. Contact training programs in Arizona for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Arizona

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arizona’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship ⁴.

Contact Information:

Office: Arizona Apprenticeship Office Department of Economic Security
Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-6013
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), solar photovoltaic installers wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	1,000	$51,200	$55,560	$38,770	$78,790
Flagstaff	30	$50,890	$54,620	$38,010	$62,640

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 1,280 solar installation technicians ¹. Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Arizona is $51,160, which is $700 below the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arizona

Best Trade Schools in Arizona (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NABCEP - Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: https://www.nabcep.org/ ↩︎
Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Registered-Apprenticeship-Program-List.pdf ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)