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

"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 North Carolina?"

"Yes. North Carolina requires state-level licensing or registration for solar installation technicians, administered by the Utilities Commission - Operations. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for solar installation technicians in North Carolina?"

"In North Carolina, registered apprenticeships are administered through the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships, 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 North Carolina

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $43,860. Employment concentration in North Carolina is roughly 0.71 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 North Carolina?"

"North Carolina currently employs approximately 710 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

North Carolina solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $43,860 ($21.09/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 710 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -17.5% below the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $43,860 ($21.09/hr)
25th percentile: $39,710 per year
75th percentile: $48,460 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,170 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,440 per year
Workers employed in North Carolina: 710
Versus national median: -17.5% below the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.71 - this occupation is less concentrated in North Carolina than the national average

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

North Carolina employs approximately 710 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,860 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 North Carolina, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Solar Installation Technician in North Carolina

How do I become a solar installation technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Renewable Energy Facilities. The licensing authority is the Utilities Commission - Operations ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for solar installation technicians. The Utilities Commission - Operations oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do solar installation technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in North Carolina is $43,860 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,440 and experienced professionals can earn $60,170 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Utilities Commission - Operations
Median wage (North Carolina): $43,860 per year ¹
Exam requirement: No exam required

Solar Installation Technician License Requirements in North Carolina

The Utilities Commission - Operations oversees solar installation technician licensing in North Carolina ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Renewable Energy Facilities	Any Person Constructing Steam, Water Or Other Facility To Generate Electricity To Be Used For Furnishing A Public Utility Service.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: No exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in North Carolina

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships ⁵.

Contact Information:

Office: Forsyth Tech Apprenticeship Program
Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Phone: (336) 723-0371
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	150	$45,970	$53,600	$37,440	$77,950
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk	N/A	$47,930	$50,800	$47,700	$58,270

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 North Carolina

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	150	$45,970

Explore More Trades in North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 710 solar installation technicians ¹. Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a solar installation technician in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the Utilities Commission - Operations for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina. You can also contact the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in North Carolina is $43,860, which is $8,000 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Utilities Commission - Operations - Licensing Information: https://www.ncuc.net/Industries/electric/electric.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: 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)