"How long does it take to become a solar installation technician in Iowa?"

"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 solar installation technicians need a license in Iowa?"

"No statewide license is required for solar installation technicians in Iowa. 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 Iowa?"

"In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of 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 Iowa

Q: "How much do solar installation technicians earn in Iowa?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,740. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.58 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"Iowa currently employs approximately 180 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

Iowa solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $56,740 ($27.28/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 180 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 6.8% above the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $56,740 ($27.28/hr)
25th percentile: $52,760 per year
75th percentile: $60,650 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $72,450 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $41,430 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 180
Versus national median: 6.8% above the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.58 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

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

Iowa employs approximately 180 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,740 ¹. 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 Iowa, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Solar Installation Technician in Iowa

How do I become a solar installation technician in Iowa? Iowa 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 take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Iowa? 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 Iowa? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Iowa is $56,740 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,430 and experienced professionals can earn $72,450 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Iowa): $56,740 per year ¹

Solar Installation Technician Certification Options in Iowa

Iowa 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 Iowa for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Iowa

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

Contact Information:

Office: Iowa Workforce Development
Address: 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-3675
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Explore More Trades in Iowa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 180 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 Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa. You can also contact the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Iowa is $56,740, which is $4,880 above the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

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/ ↩︎
Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/registered-apprenticeship ↩︎

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)