As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Solar Engineer in Newcastle, CA is $121,110 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Solar Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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, skills 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 | $86,714 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $100,281 |
| Solar Eng... Level Solar Engineer | $120,542 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $152,577 |
| Engineer ... Level Solar Engineer | $176,161 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.08% |
| API | 2.09% |
| Java | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
DevOps
|
$133,221 |
10%
|
|
JavaScript
|
$130,799 |
8%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$129,588 |
7%
|
|
AWS
|
$129,588 |
7%
|
|
Java
|
$128,377 |
6%
|
|
Team Development
|
$128,377 |
6%
|
For Solar Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Solar Engineer positions in Financial Services or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Solar Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $169,554 | $82.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $157,443 | $76.0 | 30% |
| Media | $147,754 | $71.0 | 22% |
| Healthcare | $145,332 | $70.0 | 20% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $140,488 | $68.0 | 16% |
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.
Last Updated on September 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Solar Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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