Like most types of education, solar installation training is an investment – one you hope will help you reap substantial rewards in the long-run. You want to know that the money and time you put into classes will eventually lead to earning potential.
As it happens, many of the traditional standbys are not what they used to be. MBA degrees were once the gateways to success. Now they are gateways to debt, with no guarantee of future employment.
Fortunately for you, solar installation jobs don’t suffer from this problem.
The solar installation training required to secure a position in the industry lasts anywhere from 1 – 3 weeks (depending on the course). And unlike the tens upon tens of thousands in student loans that business grads walk away with, solar panel installation training costs less than $2K – the cost of a new computer or a really nice vacation (really nice).
Solar Installation Jobs – the Hard Facts about Salary and Training
So your initial cost is $2K, give or take. What do you get for that exactly? How much do you actually make in today’s solar job market?
The numbers vary across the country, but in Florida, salaries range from $35,000 to $45,000 a year on average. For solar panel installation supervisors, the figure is closer $58,000.
Getting to a supervisor position takes time, and right now, we’re focused on you – green, untrained, and looking at the pure economics of solar courses and solar earning potential.
It’s time to start crunching these numbers.
- Let’s take the more conservative salary estimate of $35,000 a year.
- And let’s use a base tax rate of 25% (not including any dependents or other deductibles).
- Lastly, we’ll assume a 12-month work year (roughly 50 weeks a year).
When you run the numbers… $35,000 * 75% ÷ 12….you make over $2,000 a month, or more than enough to cover the solar training needed to secure this job.
A Few More Thoughts on Florida Solar Installation Jobs
Now, remember, we were using the lower of the two salaries above. And quite likely, you’ll be able to claim deductions, including perhaps, the cost of your solar installation training.
But the exact salary of your solar installation job will ultimately depend on 2 things – the quality of your training and the overall demand for solar PV installers.
The Quality of Your Solar Training
There are currently no universal requirements for solar PV installers. This is bad for the industry, but terrific for you and your solar job search.
How and why?
In the absence of official certification requirements, there are a lot of untrained, unqualified solar installers in Florida and across the country in general. This situation leads to poor quality installations, at best, and dangerous installations, at worst. The industry doesn’t need that right now – and neither do the clients that it serves.
However, this pool of poorly trained talent makes it easier for you to shine – if you have high quality solar training under your belt.
At US Solar Institute, we offer Florida Department of Education-licensed solar training courses that have passed rigorous vetting by some of the leading authorities in the industry, including NABCEP and Underwriters Laboratories.
No other solar installation training school in the country has these credentials.
Just imagine the advantages you gain when your application sits amongst would-be installers who received their training at overnight operations – or who received no training at all.
Demand for Solar Installation Jobs
The other piece of the puzzle, of course, is solar job demand.
Again, the numbers are in your favor. Solar employment has grown a staggering 7% over the last year, while new positions for most other industries grew at a meager 0.7% over the same time range.
Even with this growth, solar installation firms across the country are still desperate for solar professionals. Why else do you think that solar installation requirements are so low? Schools – even inferior schools – can’t churn out installers quickly enough.
So just imagine – you enter an industry with high demand AND you have solar training that sets you apart. Under these circumstances, it’s not unreasonable to expect that you could enter towards the higher end of the salary range shared earlier.
If you’re making closer to $45,000 a year, you can recoup the cost of your solar installation training in less than a month – closer to 2 or 3 weeks.
Solar Jobs – Not a Path to Riches, but a Formula for Fulfillment
These days, there’s no surefire path to wealth in any industry. Even business school graduates are struggling. Becoming a solar installer won’t make you an overnight Midas, but it’s still got a lot of things going for it.
In quick summary:
- You can get certified and trained very quickly
- Your solar training won’t cost a fortune
- Employers are desperate to have you
Last, but certainly not least, you’re adding real value to society, helping businesses and homeowners throughout Florida build a path to long-term economic and environmental stability.
There’s nothing like finishing up a solar installation project – the thrill is indescribable.
If you’d like to experience that sensation – affordably and immediately – let us know how we can help. US Solar Institute is committed to providing you with an education that will lead directly to high-paying, in-demand solar jobs in Florida and beyond.
