Average listed salary for Solar Engineer positions across the United States, computed from 39 active solar job listings. States with fewer than 3 listings are grouped into their US Census region below instead of being excluded.
$109,096
National avg.
39
Active listings
$151,687
Highest (California)
$71,867
Lowest (Virginia)
Listings mentioning NABCEP average $105,665 vs $112,355 without — a -6% difference.
Based on 19 listings mentioning NABCEP and 20 that don't.
A Solar Engineer designs and specifies photovoltaic systems before anything is built: array layout, string and conductor sizing, shading and production modeling, equipment selection, and the drawing set that goes to permitting. Scope varies widely by title — from residential design desks to utility-scale systems engineering — but the work is software-based and office-centered rather than field installation.
Requirements range from a technician background plus software proficiency (common for residential design roles) to a full engineering degree and PE license (common for utility-scale and stamping roles). NABCEP PV Design Specialist and PVIP credentials come up across the spectrum, and proficiency in PVsyst, Helioscope, or Aurora Solar is close to universal.
Engineers typically progress from junior design roles into systems or project engineering, then into senior or PE-licensed positions with stamping responsibility. Moving into battery storage (BESS) engineering is an increasingly common lateral step as more projects add storage.
See all 39 active Solar Engineer listings across the US
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