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

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Solar installation technicians in Illinois earn a median $59,630 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 Illinois

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
165.2$4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state$50,75766%Yes*161 mi
262.5$4,960 in-state / $7,233 out-of-state$54,88751%Yes*246 mi
359.3$6,298$49,76852%Yes*277 mi
459.1$5,340 in-state / $12,900 out-of-state$54,20949%Yes*65 mi
558.2$4,265 in-state / $8,860 out-of-state$52,81431%Yes*358 mi
656.2$4,820 in-state / $7,078 out-of-state$53,11434%Yes*226 mi
754.9$5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state$52,70129%Yes*85 mi
852.6$6,214$54,40131%Yes*344 mi
949.9$5,870 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state$55,40135%Yes*279 mi
1048.4$15,868$37,43290%Yes*353 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.

Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,100 openings per year 1. This page covers how to become a Solar Installation Technician in Illinois, 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 (Illinois): $59,630 per year 2

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

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Illinois? Illinois 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 Illinois? 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 Illinois? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Illinois is $59,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,360 and experienced professionals can earn $103,460 or more 2.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Illinois

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Illinois 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 Illinois for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Illinois

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: BEST, Inc
  • Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
  • Phone: (815) 224-0375
  • Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Illinois? Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034 1.

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

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Illinois is $59,630, which is $7,770 above the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data 2.

In Illinois

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Illinois

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 - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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

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

  4. Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

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)