What is the salary of a Solar Thermal Installer and Technician?

The typical salary range is $44,079 - $88,158 per year.

📱 Install Findmino as an app for the best experience!

Which studies lead to becoming a Solar Thermal Installer and Technician?

Back to all jobs

ConstructionGrowingBright Outlook

Solar Thermal Installer and Technician

Operational-level

Also known as: Heat Exchanger, Installer, Solar Boilers Technician, Solar Energy Technician

ConstructionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Solar Thermal Installer and Technician, you'll be on the front lines of clean energy, installing and repairing systems that use solar power to heat water for homes and businesses. You'll work with panels, pipes, and control systems, often outdoors or on rooftops. This role requires precision and strong critical thinking, as you determine tasks, set priorities, and make important decisions to ensure systems are exact and efficient. You'll also interact directly with customers, explaining your work and ensuring their satisfaction. This job is ideal if you enjoy hands-on problem-solving and contributing to a greener future.

Solar ThermalRenewable EnergyHVACPlumbingConstructionEngineeringTechnical TradesTechnicalBuildingSkilled Trade

A Day in the Life

You pull into the San Diego depot around 7:30 AM. The yard is already buzzing with trucks loading up. First, you grab a coffee and check the morning schedule displayed on the monitor. Today, you're paired with Alex for a new residential installation in La Mesa, then an existing system repair. You review the work order, ensuring all necessary equipment—copper piping, solar thermal collectors, mounting hardware, thermal fluid drums, and your toolkit—is loaded into the company truck. Precision starts now, double-checking every item against the manifest.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Adobe Photoshop Autodesk AutoCAD Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Microsoft Word Oracle Java Salesforce software

In-demand software

Microsoft Office software

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+6.8%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

42,000

per year (US)

Jobs today

510,600

in 2025 → 545,200 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Moderate

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

High

Indoor, climate-controlled

Moderate

Dealing with customers

High

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

The outlook for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians is growing, with about 42,000 job openings projected each year through 2035 and an anticipated employment increase of 6.8%. This field is experiencing rapid growth, reflecting strong demand for renewable energy solutions. You can earn a median annual wage of $63,800. With experience, you can advance to roles like Solar Project Manager or specialize in energy auditing.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Plumber's Assistant
Construction Laborer
HVAC Apprentice

Solar Thermal Installer and Technician

Where it can lead

Solar Project Manager
Energy Auditor
Building Automation Systems Technician

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will primarily augment, rather than replace, the role of solar thermal installers and technicians in the next 5-10 years. Technicians can expect AI tools to optimize system design and placement, predict maintenance needs, and provide advanced diagnostics, making their work more efficient. This will likely necessitate an evolution in skills, requiring technicians to interpret data from AI systems and integrate smarter technologies into their installations.

Salary

$63,800

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position