← All careers

Skilled Trades

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

Side-hustle friendly

Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

Median salary

$62,970

Typical range

$41k – $105k

Job outlook

+5% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

License required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,500

Time to qualify

4.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Apprenticeship (~8,000 hrs / ~4–5 yrs)

    Experience

    Paid on-the-job training plus classroom hours.

    $0–$2,000 · 4 years · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman plumber exam

    Exam

    Plumbing code + practical knowledge.

    $50–$200 · 1 months · varies by state source

  3. 3

    State/local plumbing license

    License

    Issued after passing the journeyman exam.

    $50–$300 · 2 weeks · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Which occupations require a license and in which states: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. DOL). Costs/hours are curated estimates that vary by state and change — see each step's official source.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $40,670

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

    Established

    $62,970

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

    Senior

    $84,060

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
  • •Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
  • •Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
  • •Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
  • •Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

Explore all

Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.