Jobs Similar to Solar Energy Systems Engineers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to solar energy systems engineers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Energy Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Wind Energy Engineers.
Solar Energy Systems Engineers: $122,930 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Solar Energy Systems Engineers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and SolarSame group | 82% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Electrical EngineersSame group | 81% | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Wind Energy EngineersSame group | 81% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $112,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Water/Wastewater EngineersSame group | 80% | $100,840Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Fire-Prevention and Protection EngineersSame group | 79% | $115,160Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 78% | $64,950 | Training or associate |
| 8 | Environmental EngineersSame group | 78% | $107,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Aerospace EngineersSame group | 78% | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Industrial EngineersSame group | 78% | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Civil EngineersSame group | 77% | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Microsystems EngineersSame group | 77% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Automotive EngineersSame group | 77% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Materials Scientists | 77% | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Agricultural EngineersSame group | 77% | $98,590 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Mechanical EngineersSame group | 77% | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersSame group | 77% | $106,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Validation EngineersSame group | 76% | $102,440Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Materials EngineersSame group | 76% | $112,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Nuclear EngineersSame group | 76% | $133,970 | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
82% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Electrical Engineers
81% similar · $120,630 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Wind Energy Engineers
81% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
80% similar · $112,230 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Water/Wastewater Engineers
80% similar · $100,840 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
79% similar · $115,160 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
78% similar · $64,950 · Training or associate
- 8Environmental Engineers
78% similar · $107,110 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Aerospace Engineers
78% similar · $134,960 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Industrial Engineers
78% similar · $102,440 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Civil Engineers
77% similar · $100,840 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Microsystems Engineers
77% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Automotive Engineers
77% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Materials Scientists
77% similar · $117,790 · Bachelor's degree
- 15Agricultural Engineers
77% similar · $98,590 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Mechanical Engineers
77% similar · $104,110 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
77% similar · $106,220 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Validation Engineers
76% similar · $102,440 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Materials Engineers
76% similar · $112,860 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Nuclear Engineers
76% similar · $133,970 · Bachelor's degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for solar energy systems engineers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where solar energy systems engineers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Energy Auditors (80)
- Materials Scientists (77)
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers (76)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (75)
- Geodetic Surveyors (75)
- Surveyors (74)
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (73)
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (72)
- Construction and Building Inspectors (71)
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters (71)
Questions about jobs like solar energy systems engineers
What jobs are most similar to solar energy systems engineers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Energy Engineers (82% similar), Electrical Engineers (81% similar), Wind Energy Engineers (81% similar), Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (80% similar) and Water/Wastewater Engineers (80% similar).
Do jobs like solar energy systems engineers pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than solar energy systems engineers where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.