Do solar installation technicians need a license in North Carolina?

No statewide license is required for solar installation technicians in North Carolina. 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 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 (2026)

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 about 710 solar installation technicians earning a median $43,860 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 North Carolina

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	Gwinnett Technical College	55.0	$3,524 in-state / $6,092 out-of-state	$50,469	32%	Yes*	266 mi
2	Athens Technical College	54.3	$3,390 in-state / $5,958 out-of-state	$47,299	51%	Yes*	227 mi
3	Ogeechee Technical College	50.1	$3,388 in-state / $5,956 out-of-state	$40,635	43%	Yes*	242 mi
4	North Georgia Technical College	49.8	$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state	$47,265	39%	Yes*	221 mi
5	Mountain Empire Community College	49.2	$5,007 in-state / $11,445 out-of-state	$43,703	48%	Yes*	194 mi
6	Savannah Technical College	48.8	$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state	$44,293	42%	Yes*	250 mi
7	Southeastern Technical College	45.7	$3,400 in-state / $5,968 out-of-state	$44,621	38%	Yes*	270 mi
8	Cleveland State Community College	45.5	$4,762 in-state / $17,746 out-of-state	$45,295	37%	Yes*	289 mi
9	Augusta Technical College	45.4	$4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state	$43,469	31%	Yes*	192 mi
10	Technical College of the Lowcountry	27.4	$6,156 in-state / $11,916 out-of-state	$47,361	18%	Yes*	216 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.

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.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (North Carolina): $43,860 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in North Carolina

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in North Carolina? North Carolina 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 North Carolina? 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 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.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in North Carolina

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina

North Carolina 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 North Carolina for details on certification preparation courses.

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 ⁴.

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 ( 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 .

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.

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 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.

In North Carolina

Best Trade Schools in North Carolina (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/ ↩︎
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)