Where AI can help
AI can support material lists, documentation and manual lookup.
Skilled trades · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Assemble and connect solar panels on roofs or structures. The work combines outdoor labor, plan reading, safety and electrical verification.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+36.5%2025–2035
Education typically neededHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Assess site, orientation and installation conditions
- 02
Assemble structures and mount photovoltaic modules
- 03
Connect cables, inverters and protection components
- 04
Test the system and correct installation issues
- 05
Explain maintenance and document completed work
An example of an output
A system installed, tested and documented to operate according to its design.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Solar and construction companies. Work is physical and outdoors, and depends on weather, codes and coordination with electricians.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$57,900
Median annual pay$53,140
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$41,600
90th percentile$79,970
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 202531,100
Projected openings per year4,200
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Roof conditions, safety, electrical codes and final verification depend on qualified people on site.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Create a material inventory for a fictional installation and list the risks requiring professional inspection.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Work-at-height safetyinstallationplan readingdiagnostics
Tools you may encounter
Installation tools · multimeters · protective equipment · solar diagrams
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$71,490 Mean annual pay
Electricians ↗
Solar installation provides experience with cables, protection and electrical diagrams.
- What you can carry over
- Safety, tools and testing
- What you would need to learn
- Broader electrical systems, codes and maintenance experience
What to consider
Panel work does not automatically authorize every type of electrical work.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Create a material inventory for a fictional installation and list the risks requiring professional inspection.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Solar Photovoltaic InstallersSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 47-2231.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗