Do solar installation technicians need a license in New York?

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

In New York, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New York 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 York (2026)

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in New York earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,160. Employment concentration in New York is roughly 0.63 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 New York?

New York currently employs approximately 1,230 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 York solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $56,160 ($27.00/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,230 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 5.7% above the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $56,160 ($27.00/hr)
25th percentile: $49,290 per year
75th percentile: $58,700 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $74,770 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,630 per year
Workers employed in New York: 1,230
Versus national median: 5.7% above the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.63 - this occupation is less concentrated in New York than the national average

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

New York employs about 1,230 solar installation technicians earning a median $56,160 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 New York

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	Williamson College of the Trades	81.5	$31,611	$79,194	83%	—	118 mi
2	Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology	75.3	Contact school for pricing	$47,037	95%	—	189 mi
3	Blue Ridge Community and Technical College	71.1	$4,752 in-state / $8,808 out-of-state	$45,612	32%	Yes*	240 mi
4	Hudson Valley Community College	62.7	$6,796 in-state / $11,852 out-of-state	$54,719	35%	Yes*	99 mi
5	UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey	58.1	$5,280 in-state / $9,500 out-of-state	Not reported	35%	Yes*	45 mi
6	Mercer County Community College	55.2	$5,310 in-state / $9,174 out-of-state	Not reported	25%	Yes*	78 mi
7	Monroe Community College	50.8	$6,006 in-state / $11,056 out-of-state	$47,430	27%	Yes*	215 mi
8	Genesee Community College	50.0	$5,900 in-state / $6,500 out-of-state	$48,414	31%	Yes*	236 mi
9	Bristol Community College	49.8	$5,832 in-state / $10,776 out-of-state	$48,840	22%	Yes*	160 mi
10	Delaware Technical Community College-Terry	48.4	$5,445 in-state / $12,308 out-of-state	$55,102	22%	Yes*	164 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.

New York employs approximately 1,230 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,160 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 New York, 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 (New York): $56,160 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in New York

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in New York? New York 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 New York? 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 York? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in New York is $56,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,630 and experienced professionals can earn $74,770 or more ¹.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in New York

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New York 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 New York 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 New York 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 New York

New York 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 York for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in New York

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

Contact Information:

Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
Phone: (518) 457-4497
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in New York

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	2,190	$70,130	$74,770	$47,600	$102,050
Albany-Schenectady-Troy	100	$49,470	$51,250	$41,040	$61,510

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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 1,230 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 York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New York. You can also contact the New York Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in New York is $56,160, which is $4,300 above the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

In New York

Best Trade Schools in New York (2026)

Top local programs

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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

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 York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

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)