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

"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 New Mexico?"

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

"In New Mexico, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Mexico Office of 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 New Mexico

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,490. Employment concentration in New Mexico is about 1.93 times the national average for this occupation."

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

"New Mexico currently employs approximately 340 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

New Mexico solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $48,490 ($23.31/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 340 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -8.8% below the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $48,490 ($23.31/hr)
25th percentile: $46,040 per year
75th percentile: $61,560 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,370 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $40,020 per year
Workers employed in New Mexico: 340
Versus national median: -8.8% below the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.93 - this occupation is more concentrated in New Mexico than the national average

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

New Mexico employs approximately 340 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,490 ¹. The state’s concentration of solar installation technician jobs is 1.93x 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 New Mexico, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Solar Installation Technician in New Mexico

How do I become a solar installation technician in New Mexico? New Mexico 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 New Mexico? 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 New Mexico? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in New Mexico is $48,490 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,020 and experienced professionals can earn $75,370 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 (New Mexico): $48,490 per year ¹

Solar Installation Technician Certification Options in New Mexico

New Mexico 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 New Mexico for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in New Mexico

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

Contact Information:

Office: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Address: 401 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 841-8565
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), solar photovoltaic installers wages in New Mexico vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Albuquerque	120	$59,800	$57,820	$39,430	$76,970

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 2025.

Top Metros for Solar installation technicians in New Mexico

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest solar installation technician employment within New Mexico according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Albuquerque	120	$59,800

Explore More Trades in New Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 340 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 New Mexico? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Mexico. You can also contact the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in New Mexico is $48,490, which is $3,370 below 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/ ↩︎
New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Job-Seeker/Jobs-and-Careers/Apprenticeship/Current-Programs ↩︎

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)