As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Solar Engineer in the United States is $114,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Solar Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Solar Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $121,276 | $10,106 | $2,332 | $58 |
| Average | $114,000 | $9,500 | $2,192 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,529 | $8,877 | $2,049 | $51 |
A Solar Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Solar Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $81,624 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $94,393 |
| Solar Eng... Level Solar Engineer | $113,465 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $143,620 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $165,819 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.08% |
| API | 2.09% |
| Java | 1.71% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Solar Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| DevOps | $125,400 | |
| JavaScript | $123,120 | |
| Test Automation | $121,980 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Solar Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Solar Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,951 and $111,242).
| Typical Education for Solar Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 2.6% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 36.5% |
| Masters | 41.6% |
| Doctorate | 15.5% |
Understanding how a Solar Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $121,276 | $10,106 | $2,332 | $58 |
| Average | $114,000 | $9,500 | $2,192 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,529 | $8,877 | $2,049 | $51 |
Salaries for a Solar Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $120,821 in 2023 to around $119,676 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Solar Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $120,821 |
| 2024 | $120,982 |
| 2025 | $119,676 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Solar Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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