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Architecture & Engineering · Usually needs a bachelor's degree

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.

Also called: Applications Engineer, Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer), Power Systems Engineer, Project Engineer

Is this career right for me?

Median pay

$122,930

Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other”

Pay range (10th–90th)

$66,810 – $189,950

People employed

154,070

Whole BLS group

Holland code

RIC

Realistic · Investigative · 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. 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
  2. 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
  3. 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?

The hard parts

  • Tight deadlines are common
  • Mistakes can have serious consequences
  • Work outdoors in all weather

Solar Energy Systems Engineers pay by state

Highest-paying states

New Mexico$162,070
Alabama$152,550
District of Columbia$151,920
Virginia$148,160
Alaska$142,390

Lowest-paying states

Kansas$76,100
Arkansas$76,940
Nebraska$88,490

Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Engineers, All Other”.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers salary in every state →

What solar energy systems engineers do

  1. 01Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
  2. 02Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
  3. 03Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
  4. 04Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
  5. 05Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  6. 06Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.

Skills that matter most

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Mathematics

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical

Education and first steps

Less than a High School Diploma4%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7%
Post-Secondary Certificate11%
Some College Courses7%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree11%
Bachelor's Degree56%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.4%

Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.

How people get started

  • Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
  • Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
  • 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)

Realistic5.97
Investigative5.02
Artistic2.11
Social1.90
Enterprising3.05
Conventional3.96

O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.

Career changes

Change from solar energy systems engineers

See all jobs for former solar energy systems engineers →

Change into solar energy systems engineers

Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).

Jobs similar to solar energy systems engineers →

Majors that lead here

  • Engineering, General
  • Applied Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Laser and Optical Engineering
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • Engineering Mechanics
  • Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
  • Engineering Science
  • Ocean Engineering

From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.

Free help near you

You can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keep exploring

Sources. O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0): description, tasks, skills, knowledge, work styles, education, interests and work context. Pay and employment: BLS OEWS May 2025 (national and state). Majors: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Data Sources & Licenses