Solar Installer in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Indiana employs 490 solar installers, with a statewide median of $46,140 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Solar installers Earn in Indiana (May 2025)
- Indiana median pay
- $46,140 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $38,250
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $47,890
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $71,020
- Employed in Indiana
- 490
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $51,860 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for solar installers in major Indiana markets:
- Indianapolis
- $39,690 (240 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana
Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,140 median stretches to roughly $49,453 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)
Indiana is projected to grow solar installers employment +8.9%, slower than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Indiana License and Certification Requirements
No dedicated solar installer license — NABCEP certification is the industry standard — regulated by the No statewide Indiana solar installer license — electrical work falls under state/local electrician licensing.
- Indiana has no separate solar installer license. Mechanical racking work does not require a license. All electrical connections for solar installations must be made by or under a licensed electrician per Indiana electrical code.
- Earn NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification — the industry gold standard. Requires documented installation hours and passing exam.
- Indiana's solar market is growing, driven by Purdue University and IU campus solar projects, commercial rooftop installations, and utility-scale projects in southern Indiana. IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) net metering policies have expanded the residential solar market.
Training in Indiana
Indiana's solar market is smaller than neighboring Ohio and Illinois but growing. Ivy Tech and energy training programs offer solar curriculum. The state's manufacturing base means solar installer wages are competitive with other skilled trades. Utility-scale solar development in southern Indiana is accelerating as Midwestern grid decarbonization continues.
Where Solar installers Work in Indiana
Real Indiana power plants that employ solar installers include:
- Fowler Ridge Wind Farm LLC — Fowler
- Dunns Bridge II Solar — San Pierre
- Mammoth North Solar — Knox
- Jordan Creek Wind Farm, LLC — Judyville
- Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm LLC — Chalmers
- Dunns Bridge I Solar — Wheatfield
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 Indiana?
The median wage for solar installers in Indiana is $46,140 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $71,020. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Solar Installer in Indiana?
No dedicated solar installer license — NABCEP certification is the industry standard, overseen by the No statewide Indiana solar installer license — electrical work falls under state/local electrician licensing. Indiana has no separate solar installer license. Mechanical racking work does not require a license. All electrical connections for solar installations must be made by or under a licensed electrician per Indiana electrical code.
Is being a Solar Installer a good career in Indiana?
Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.
Which Indiana metros pay solar installers the most?
Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $39,690. 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 Indiana?
Indiana projects solar installers employment to change +8.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the No statewide Indiana solar installer license — electrical work falls under state/local electrician 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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.