Career Explorer Construction and trades
Human edge, growing
Solar photovoltaic installers
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 99% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +36.5% by 2035, much faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $53,140
- Job growth to 2035
- +36.5%
- Openings a year
- 4,200
- People doing it (2025)
- 31,100
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Determine operational methods or procedures
- Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
- Test performance of equipment or systems
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Install energy or heating equipment
- Evaluate green technologies or processes
- Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment
What the work looks like
- Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
- Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
- Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
- Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as rising electricity demand and the growing use of solar power increases demand for residential and utility-scale solar panel installations.
- More of these jobs, as rising electricity demand and the growing use of solar power increases demand for residential solar panel installations.
Also known as: PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer), Solar Installer, Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer), Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator), Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer), PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician), Solar Designer, Solar Electric Installer.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.