Do solar installation technicians need a license in South Dakota?

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

In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered 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 South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do solar installation technicians earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), solar installation technicians in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $42,380. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.51 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 South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 50 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

South Dakota solar photovoltaic installers earn a median annual wage of $42,380 ($20.37/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 50 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -20.2% below the national median of $53,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $42,380 ($20.37/hr)
25th percentile: $41,600 per year
75th percentile: $67,180 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $73,590 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,560 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 50
Versus national median: -20.2% below the U.S. median of $53,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.51 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

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

South Dakota employs about 50 solar installation technicians earning a median $42,380 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 South Dakota

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	Flint Hills Technical College	75.5	$6,400	$52,442	68%	Yes*	422 mi
2	Southwest Wisconsin Technical College	65.2	$4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state	$50,757	66%	Yes*	441 mi
3	Northeast Wisconsin Technical College	62.5	$4,960 in-state / $7,233 out-of-state	$54,887	51%	Yes*	555 mi
4	Riverland Community College	59.3	$6,298	$49,768	52%	Yes*	316 mi
5	Sauk Valley Community College	59.1	$5,340 in-state / $12,900 out-of-state	$54,209	49%	Yes*	515 mi
6	Cloud County Community College	59.0	$3,540 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state	$45,359	55%	Yes*	324 mi
7	Minnesota West Community and Technical College	58.5	$6,491	$52,390	52%	Yes*	192 mi
8	Colby Community College	57.8	$4,140 in-state / $5,830 out-of-state	$41,509	55%	Yes*	337 mi
9	Western Technical College	56.2	$4,820 in-state / $7,078 out-of-state	$53,114	34%	Yes*	402 mi
10	Century College	52.6	$6,214	$54,401	31%	Yes*	318 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.

South Dakota employs approximately 50 solar installation technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,380 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 South Dakota, 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 (South Dakota): $42,380 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in South Dakota

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in South Dakota? South Dakota 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 South Dakota? 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 South Dakota? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in South Dakota is $42,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,560 and experienced professionals can earn $73,590 or more ¹.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in South Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota

South Dakota 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 South Dakota for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in South Dakota

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

Contact Information:

Office: StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program
Address: 123 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 910-7031
Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 50 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 South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota. You can also contact the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do solar installation technicians earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for solar installation technicians in South Dakota is $42,380, which is $9,480 below the national median of $51,860 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

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/ ↩︎
South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: 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)