Solar Energy Installation Managers
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Also called: Commercial Field Manager, Commercial Solar Superintendent, Commercial Subcontractor, Installation Manager, Photovoltaic Subcontractor, Piping Supervisor
Median pay
$79,920
Pay for the broader BLS group “First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$53,280 – $128,260
People employed
812,210
Whole BLS group
Holland code
REC
Realistic · Enterprising · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 7.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Solar Energy Installation Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers”.
What solar energy installation managers do
- 01Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
- 02Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- 03Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
- 04Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- 05Provide technical assistance to installers, technicians, or other solar professionals in areas such as solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, electrical systems, or mechanical systems.
- 06Coordinate or schedule building inspections for solar installation projects.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- Mechanical
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from solar energy installation managers
- Construction Managers77% · —
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers77% · —
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers75% · —
- Construction and Building Inspectors73% · —
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers73% · —
Change into solar energy installation managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers79% · $58,430
- Wind Energy Operations Managers75% · $141,900
- Energy Auditors74% · $74,690
- Construction and Building Inspectors73% · $74,690
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers73% · $59,320
Majors that lead here
- Construction Trades, General
- Mason/Masonry
- Carpentry/Carpenter
- Electrician
- Building/Property Maintenance
- Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher
- Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector
- Drywall Installation/Drywaller
- Glazier
- Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
- Roofer
- Building/Construction Site Management/Manager
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.