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

Energy

Solar installers in South Carolina earn a statewide median of $50,490, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Solar installers Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)

South Carolina median pay: $50,490 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,540
Experienced (75th percentile): $59,270
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,170
Employed in South Carolina: Not published (BLS suppressed)
U.S. median (for comparison): $51,860 (May 2024)

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

Charlotte: $45,970 (150 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina

Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,490 median stretches to roughly $53,885 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)

South Carolina is projected to grow solar installers employment +45.2%, faster than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Carolina License and Certification Requirements

No solar-specific license; NABCEP certification is the credential — regulated by the No dedicated South Carolina license — PV electrical work falls under electrical contractor licensing.

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

Official requirements: No dedicated South Carolina license — PV electrical work falls under electrical contractor licensing →

Training in South Carolina

SC's solar market is growing. Pairing solar with electrical experience opens the best-paid roles.

Where Solar installers Work in South Carolina

Real South Carolina power plants that employ solar installers include:

Sr Lambert I, LLC — Georgetown
Sr Lambert II — Georgetown
Catalina Solar (SC) — Batesburg
Huntley — Bowman
Palmetto Plains — Bowman
Twe Bowman Solar Project — Bowman

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 South Carolina?

The median wage for solar installers in South Carolina is $50,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,170. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No solar-specific license; NABCEP certification is the credential, overseen by the No dedicated South Carolina license — PV electrical work falls under electrical contractor licensing. South Carolina has no standalone solar license; the electrical portion of PV work is done by/under a licensed electrical contractor.

Is being a Solar Installer a good career in South Carolina?

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

Which South Carolina metros pay solar installers the most?

Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $45,970. 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 South Carolina?

South Carolina projects solar installers employment to change +45.2% 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the No dedicated South Carolina license — 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 South Carolina wages · South Carolina 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.