Solar Installer in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Energy
Texas employs 5,270 solar installers, with a statewide median of $48,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Solar installers Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $48,240 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,660
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $59,220
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $73,690
- Employed in Texas
- 5,270
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $51,860 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for solar installers in major Texas markets:
- Austin
- $50,580 (830 employed)
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $48,350 (1,570 employed)
- Houston
- $47,060 (1,620 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Texas
Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,240 median stretches to roughly $49,681 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow solar installers employment +43.1%, faster than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 730 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
None for the panel-mounting role; electrical connections require TDLR-licensed electricians — regulated by the TDLR (electrical work) — no solar-specific installer license.
- Texas has no solar-installer license. Crews work for companies operating under a TDLR-licensed Electrical Contractor, and the electrical connections (DC/AC circuits, grounding, panel ties) must be done by licensed electricians.
- The strongest move: get a TDLR Electrical Apprentice license and build toward Journeyman while working on solar crews — you become the person legally allowed to do the high-value work.
- NABCEP certification (voluntary) signals professionalism. Note: starting September 1, 2026, residential solar retailers and salespersons must register with TDLR.
Official requirements: TDLR (electrical work) — no solar-specific installer license →
Training in Texas
Texas is the #2 solar state and growing fast. Entry-level installer jobs require little formal training, but pay rises sharply with the electrician path. Houston, San Antonio, DFW, and Austin all have active residential and utility-scale markets.
Where Solar installers Work in Texas
Real Texas power plants that employ solar installers include:
- Great Prairie Wind — Gruver
- Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center — Wingate
- Capricorn Ridge Wind LLC — Sterling City
- Hornet Solar (TX) — Tulia
- Aviator Wind — Robert Lee
- Hecate Energy Outpost Solar LLC — Laredo
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 Texas?
The median wage for solar installers in Texas is $48,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,660, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,690. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Solar Installer in Texas?
None for the panel-mounting role; electrical connections require TDLR-licensed electricians, overseen by the TDLR (electrical work) — no solar-specific installer license. Texas has no solar-installer license. Crews work for companies operating under a TDLR-licensed Electrical Contractor, and the electrical connections (DC/AC circuits, grounding, panel ties) must be done by licensed electricians.
Is being a Solar Installer a good career in Texas?
Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.
Which Texas metros pay solar installers the most?
Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $50,580, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($48,350), Houston ($47,060). 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 Texas?
Texas projects solar installers employment to change +43.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 730 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the TDLR (electrical work) — no solar-specific installer license (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.