Construction Trades Workers

How to become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician

Official title: Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

Also called: Installer, Solar Energy Technician, Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer), Solar Installer, Solar Maintenance Technician, Solar System Installer, Solar Technician, Solar Thermal Installer

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

Main tasks

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.
Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.

How to become one

Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. BLS lists an apprenticeship as the typical training for this occupation.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $63,800 a year The middle half earn $50,190 to $85,110.
About 510,600 people work in this job now, and about 545,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.8%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

How much does a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $63,800 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $50,190 to $85,110.

Is a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 510,600 to about 545,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.

Will AI change the work of a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.