Do solar installation technicians need a license in Ohio?

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

In Ohio, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Ohio 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 Ohio (2026)

Q: How much do solar installation technicians earn in Ohio?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in Ohio earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,400. Employment concentration in Ohio is roughly 0.06 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 Ohio?

Ohio currently employs approximately 70 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

Ohio solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $62,400 ($30.00/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 70 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 17.4% above the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $62,400 ($30.00/hr)
25th percentile: $51,200 per year
75th percentile: $66,030 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $70,150 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,270 per year
Workers employed in Ohio: 70
Versus national median: 17.4% above the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.06 - this occupation is less concentrated in Ohio than the national average

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

Ohio employs about 70 solar installation technicians earning a median $62,400 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 Ohio

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	Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology	75.3	Contact school for pricing	$47,037	95%	—	246 mi
2	Blue Ridge Community and Technical College	71.1	$4,752 in-state / $8,808 out-of-state	$45,612	32%	Yes*	256 mi
3	Lorain County Community College	58.2	$4,265 in-state / $8,860 out-of-state	$52,814	31%	Yes*	41 mi
4	Triton College	54.9	$5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state	$52,701	29%	Yes*	288 mi
5	Monroe Community College	50.8	$6,006 in-state / $11,056 out-of-state	$47,430	27%	Yes*	291 mi
6	Genesee Community College	50.0	$5,900 in-state / $6,500 out-of-state	$48,414	31%	Yes*	265 mi
7	Owens Community College	49.9	$5,870 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state	$55,401	35%	Yes*	76 mi
8	Mountain Empire Community College	49.2	$5,007 in-state / $11,445 out-of-state	$43,703	48%	Yes*	280 mi
9	Kellogg Community College	44.1	$4,118 in-state / $8,282 out-of-state	$41,918	30%	Yes*	172 mi
10	Monroe County Community College	42.8	$4,759 in-state / $8,267 out-of-state	$55,341	34%	—	88 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.

Ohio employs approximately 70 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,400 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 Ohio, 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 (Ohio): $62,400 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Ohio

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Ohio? Ohio 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 Ohio? 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 Ohio? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Ohio is $62,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,270 and experienced professionals can earn $70,150 or more ¹.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Ohio

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Ohio

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

Contact Information:

Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
Phone: (614) 466-6282
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 70 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 Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Ohio. You can also contact the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in Ohio is $62,400, which is $10,540 above the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

In Ohio

Ohio Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Ohio

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/ ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎

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)