Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
SOC: 47-2152 O*NET: 47-2152.04
Median Salary
$62,970
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
44
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
What does a Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,670
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,860
25th percentile
Median
$62,970
50th percentile
Experienced
$81,900
75th percentile
Top Earners
$105,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,670
25th
$48,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,970
Mean: $69,940
75th
$81,900
90th
$105,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $64,480 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $48,860 and $81,900
- •Salary spread is 52.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 455,940 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:504,500
Top Industries
Construction82.2%
Specialty Trade Contractors75%
Building Equipment Contractors73.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.5%
Annual Openings:44,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)504,500
Current
2034 (Projected)527,200
+4.5%
+22,700
Employment Change
+4.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
45,460 jobs$68,3900.85x
Texas
42,290 jobs$58,5601.03x
Florida
26,730 jobs$50,5400.92x
New York
22,630 jobs$78,4600.80x
Illinois
18,730 jobs$96,2001.04x
Massachusetts
15,670 jobs$83,2601.45x
Ohio
14,490 jobs$62,5300.89x
North Carolina
14,300 jobs$50,9900.99x
Pennsylvania
13,990 jobs$66,6500.79x
Virginia
13,190 jobs$59,5601.10x
Michigan
12,830 jobs$77,0300.99x
Arizona
12,330 jobs$61,9401.30x
Washington
12,210 jobs$79,0701.17x
Indiana
11,620 jobs$64,5601.23x
Maryland
11,490 jobs$63,2701.42x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Installation
100%
#2
Quality Control Analysis
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Operations Monitoring
54%
#9
Troubleshooting
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Installation
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Operations Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Installation
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Automotive Body and Related Repairers73%
5 shared skills
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers70%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators67%
5 shared skills
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Active Listening
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Installation
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Installation
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Planning & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.68
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.65
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.54
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.43
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.40
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.40
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Initiative
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Concern for Others
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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