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Solar Installer in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Energy

Arizona employs 1,280 solar installers, with a statewide median of $51,160 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.

What Solar installers Earn in Arizona (May 2025)

Arizona median pay: $51,160 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,770
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,500
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,780
Employed in Arizona: 1,280
U.S. median (for comparison): $51,860 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for solar installers in major Arizona markets:

Phoenix: $51,200 (1,000 employed)
Flagstaff: $50,890 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona

Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $51,160 median is worth closer to $50,804 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)

Arizona is projected to grow solar installers employment +40.6%, slower than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 196 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arizona License and Certification Requirements

No dedicated solar installer license — electrical work requires ROC-licensed contractor — regulated by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — electrical work requires licensed contractor.

Arizona does not have a separate solar installer license. Mechanical racking and panel mounting do not require a license, but all electrical connections must be performed by or under an ROC-licensed electrical contractor.
Earn NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) PV Installation Professional certification — the industry gold standard. Requires documented installation hours and a passing exam.
Enter as a solar laborer or installer apprentice. Many Arizona solar companies (SunPower, Sunrun, local installers) hire and train on the job. Arizona is the #2 solar state by installed capacity.

Official requirements: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — electrical work requires licensed contractor →

Training in Arizona

Arizona is one of the strongest solar markets in the country — Maricopa County leads the nation in rooftop solar installations. The sunny climate, favorable net metering history, and state solar incentives drive consistent residential and utility-scale demand. Phoenix and Tucson are the major job centers. The AriSEIA (Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association) is the trade group.

Where Solar installers Work in Arizona

Real Arizona power plants that employ solar installers include:

Sonoran Solar Energy — Buckeye
Mohave County Wind Farm — Willow Beach
Agua Caliente Solar Project — Dateland
Eleven Mile Solar Center — Coolidge
McFarland B Solar and Storage — Dateland
Box Canyon (AZ) — Florence

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want fast entry into energy work and can handle roofs and outdoor labor.

Think twice if: You need high starting pay, indoor work, or stable hours from day one.

Why it's resilient: Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.

First Steps

Find local installers hiring helpers and compare NABCEP-aligned training options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do solar installers make in Arizona?

The median wage for solar installers in Arizona is $51,160 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,770, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,780. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Solar Installer in Arizona?

No dedicated solar installer license — electrical work requires ROC-licensed contractor, overseen by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — electrical work requires licensed contractor. Arizona does not have a separate solar installer license. Mechanical racking and panel mounting do not require a license, but all electrical connections must be performed by or under an ROC-licensed electrical contractor.

Is being a Solar Installer a good career in Arizona?

Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.

Which Arizona metros pay solar installers the most?

Among Arizona metro areas, Phoenix leads at $51,200, followed by Flagstaff ($50,890). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Solar Installer a growing career in Arizona?

Arizona projects solar installers employment to change +40.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 196 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — electrical work requires licensed contractor (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.