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

Hawaii employs about 420 solar installation technicians earning a median $70,370 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.

Hawaii employs approximately 420 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $70,370 1. The state’s concentration of solar installation technician jobs is 3.29x 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 Hawaii, 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 (Hawaii): $70,370 per year 1

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

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Hawaii? Hawaii 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 Hawaii? 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 Hawaii? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Hawaii is $70,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,480 and experienced professionals can earn $105,200 or more 1.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Hawaii

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Hawaii training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Hawaii that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Earn an industry certification. While Hawaii 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 Hawaii

Hawaii 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 Hawaii for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Hawaii

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Hawaii’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships 4.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Hawaii Workforce Development Division
  • Address: 830 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: (808) 586-8877
  • Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu330$69,940$71,460$47,480$98,040
Kahului-Wailuku40$78,360$77,060$52,000$101,740

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 Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 420 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 Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Hawaii. You can also contact the Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Hawaii is $70,370, which is $18,510 above the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data 1.

In Hawaii

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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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NABCEP - Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: https://www.nabcep.org/ ↩︎

  4. Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships: http://labor.hawaii.gov/wdd/home/employers/apprenticeship/ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)