by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 33 U.S. colleges awarded 312 degrees and certificates in Solar Energy Technology/Technician. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 86% of graduates. College Factual ranks 10 schools in its 2027 Best Solar Energy Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing, rising to $80,513 after four years.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, solar energy technology/technician draws strong interest, with 312 degrees awarded annually. 33 colleges award solar energy technology/technician degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 51.
By level, the 312 awards include 21 certificates, 24 associate degrees and 267 master’s degrees.
Women earned 7% of solar energy technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (21 of 312). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (156) and Hispanic or Latino (85), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 10 schools in its 2027 Best Solar Energy Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. It also ranks solar energy technology/technician schools within 1 state. In all, 33 colleges offer solar energy technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Solar Energy Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common solar energy technology/technician credential is the master’s degree: 267 of the 312 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to solar energy technology/technician call most for Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Mechanical, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a solar energy technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 267 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to solar energy technology/technician, at 42.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 42.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.0% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.1% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Solar Energy Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $79,700; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Photovoltaic Installers, at 4.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist and Solar Electrician.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to solar energy technology/technician, at 360,116.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | 360,116 | 4.2% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing their program, $80,513 after four years and $74,926 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,973 |
| 4 years | $80,513 |
| 5 years | $74,926 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to solar energy technology/technician is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | $32,563 |
Solar Energy Technology/Technician has 4 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 811 degrees a year; the largest are Energy Systems Technology/Technician (688), Power Plant Technology/Technician (74) and Wind Energy Technology/Technician (47). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Energy Systems Technology/Technician | 688 |
| Power Plant Technology/Technician | 74 |
| Wind Energy Technology/Technician | 47 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
