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

"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 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

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 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.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Solar Installation Technician in New York

How do I 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 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 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.

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

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 (2025 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 2025.

Top Metros for Solar installation technicians in New York

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
New York-Newark-Jersey City	2,190	$70,130
Albany-Schenectady-Troy	100	$49,470

Explore More Trades in New York

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 accredited 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.

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)