Do solar installation technicians need a license in Michigan?

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

In Michigan, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Michigan Workforce Development - 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 Michigan (2026)

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in Michigan earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,080. Employment concentration in Michigan is roughly 0.35 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 Michigan?

Michigan currently employs approximately 310 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

Michigan solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $47,080 ($22.63/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 310 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -11.4% below the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,080 ($22.63/hr)
25th percentile: $44,650 per year
75th percentile: $57,720 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,270 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,340 per year
Workers employed in Michigan: 310
Versus national median: -11.4% below the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.35 - this occupation is less concentrated in Michigan than the national average

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

Michigan employs about 310 solar installation technicians earning a median $47,080 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 Michigan

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	Southwest Wisconsin Technical College	65.2	$4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state	$50,757	66%	Yes*	303 mi
2	Northeast Wisconsin Technical College	62.5	$4,960 in-state / $7,233 out-of-state	$54,887	51%	Yes*	195 mi
3	Sauk Valley Community College	59.1	$5,340 in-state / $12,900 out-of-state	$54,209	49%	Yes*	271 mi
4	Lorain County Community College	58.2	$4,265 in-state / $8,860 out-of-state	$52,814	31%	Yes*	181 mi
5	Western Technical College	56.2	$4,820 in-state / $7,078 out-of-state	$53,114	34%	Yes*	334 mi
6	Triton College	54.9	$5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state	$52,701	29%	Yes*	187 mi
7	Monroe Community College	50.8	$6,006 in-state / $11,056 out-of-state	$47,430	27%	Yes*	354 mi
8	Genesee Community College	50.0	$5,900 in-state / $6,500 out-of-state	$48,414	31%	Yes*	328 mi
9	Owens Community College	49.9	$5,870 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state	$55,401	35%	Yes*	126 mi
10	Kellogg Community College	44.1	$4,118 in-state / $8,282 out-of-state	$41,918	30%	Yes*	68 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.

Michigan employs approximately 310 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,080 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 Michigan, 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 (Michigan): $47,080 per year ¹

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

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Michigan? Michigan 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 Michigan? 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 Michigan? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Michigan is $47,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,340 and experienced professionals can earn $60,270 or more ¹.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Michigan

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Michigan 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 Michigan for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Michigan

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

Contact Information:

Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
Phone: (810) 762-0200
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn	140	$48,020	$50,710	$39,780	$60,220

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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 310 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 Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Michigan is $47,080, which is $4,780 below the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

In Michigan

Best Trade Schools in Michigan (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Michigan

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/ ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - 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.

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)