Solar Installer in Ohio: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Ohio employs 70 solar installers, with a statewide median of $62,400 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.
What Solar installers Earn in Ohio (May 2025)
- Ohio median pay
- $62,400 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $48,270
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $66,030
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $70,150
- Employed in Ohio
- 70
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $51,860 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio
Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,400 median stretches to roughly $67,241 in national buying-power terms.
Ohio License and Certification Requirements
None for installer crews; electrical tie-ins follow local/OCILB rules — regulated by the No state installer license — local electrical rules apply.
- No Ohio installer license — crews work under contractors, with electrical connections following local licensing rules.
- Utility-scale solar is Ohio's growth story — large projects across rural Ohio hire travelers and local crews.
- NABCEP certification plus electrical skills (or a city electrician path) drive pay growth.
Official requirements: No state installer license — local electrical rules apply →
Training in Ohio
Ohio's utility-scale solar buildout (some of the largest projects east of the Mississippi) creates steady construction-phase work; residential is growing more slowly. IBEW locals capture much of the utility-scale work — the union electrical path doubles as the solar path here.
Where Solar installers Work in Ohio
Real Ohio power plants that employ solar installers include:
- Fox Squirrel Solar — MT Sterling
- Aeug Union Solar, LLC — West Mansfield
- Blue Creek Wind Project — Paulding
- Hecate Energy Highland LLC — Buford
- Yellowbud Solar, LLC — Williamsport
- Hardin Solar III — Alger
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 Ohio?
The median wage for solar installers in Ohio is $62,400 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $70,150. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Solar Installer in Ohio?
None for installer crews; electrical tie-ins follow local/OCILB rules, overseen by the No state installer license — local electrical rules apply. No Ohio installer license — crews work under contractors, with electrical connections following local licensing rules.
Is being a Solar Installer a good career in Ohio?
Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the No state installer license — local electrical rules apply (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 Ohio wages · Ohio licensing/certification source
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.