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

Energy

Hawaii employs 420 solar installers, with a statewide median of $70,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Hawaii licensing picture, and where to train.

What Solar installers Earn in Hawaii (May 2025)

Hawaii median pay: $70,370 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,480
Experienced (75th percentile): $81,050
Top earners (90th percentile): $105,200
Employed in Hawaii: 420
U.S. median (for comparison): $51,860 (May 2024)

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

Kahului: $78,360 (40 employed)
Urban Honolulu: $69,940 (330 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Hawaii

Prices in Hawaii run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $70,370 median is worth closer to $63,973 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Hawaii (2024–2034)

Hawaii is projected to grow solar installers employment +38.5%, slower than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Hawaii License and Certification Requirements

No solar-specific license; NABCEP certification + DCCA contractor/electrical licensing — regulated by the Hawaii DCCA — PV electrical work falls under electrical/contractor licensing.

Hawaii has no standalone solar license; the electrical portion of PV work is done by/under licensed electricians, and businesses need a contractor classification.
Start as an installer/helper with a solar company to learn the trade.
Earn the NABCEP PV Installation Professional credential to advance.

Official requirements: Hawaii DCCA — PV electrical work falls under electrical/contractor licensing →

Training in Hawaii

Hawaii has among the highest solar adoption in the U.S. (high electricity prices + abundant sun), so this is an exceptionally strong local market. Pairing solar with electrical experience opens the best-paid roles.

Where Solar installers Work in Hawaii

Real Hawaii power plants that employ solar installers include:

Kawailoa Wind — Haleiwa
Ho'ohana Solar 1 — Waipahu
Aes Maui Kuihelani Solar Hybrid — Waikapu
Kawailoa Solar — Haleiwa
Waipio Solar — Waipio
Hale Kuawehi Solar Hybrid — Waimea

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 Hawaii?

The median wage for solar installers in Hawaii is $70,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,480, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $105,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No solar-specific license; NABCEP certification + DCCA contractor/electrical licensing, overseen by the Hawaii DCCA — PV electrical work falls under electrical/contractor licensing. Hawaii has no standalone solar license; the electrical portion of PV work is done by/under licensed electricians, and businesses need a contractor classification.

Is being a Solar Installer a good career in Hawaii?

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

Which Hawaii metros pay solar installers the most?

Among Hawaii metro areas, Kahului leads at $78,360, followed by Urban Honolulu ($69,940). 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 Hawaii?

Hawaii projects solar installers employment to change +38.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 50 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), Hawaii statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the Hawaii DCCA — PV electrical work falls under electrical/contractor licensing (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 Hawaii wages · Hawaii 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.