Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in Salinas, CA
Solar Photovoltaic Installers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $62,260 a year ($29.93 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,750 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $53,140. Pay here is 3% higher than the California statewide median of $60,600. The average (mean) salary is $65,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for solar photovoltaic installers in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| 25th percentile | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Median | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| 75th percentile | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Average (mean) | $65,860 | $31.67 |
Half of solar photovoltaic installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,594.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,394.62 |
| Weekly | $1,197.31 |
| Hourly | $29.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,150 | 710 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $71,630 | 280 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $69,550 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,810 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,340 | 550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $61,020 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,050 | 790 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $59,960 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,930 | 700 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,920 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $59,650 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $59,600 | 1,930 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $59,110 | 120 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,220 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,990 | 370 |
Highest-paying states for solar photovoltaic installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $78,950 |
| Hawaii | $70,370 |
| Nevada | $67,810 |
| Oregon | $66,320 |
| Ohio | $62,400 |
| Washington | $61,630 |
| Maine | $61,210 |
| California | $60,600 |
| Illinois | $59,630 |
| Massachusetts | $59,180 |
See Solar Photovoltaic Installer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Construction Laborer | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Electrician | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Roofer | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $68,050 | $32.71 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Glazier | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $65,430 | $31.46 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2231. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solar photovoltaic installer make in Salinas, CA?
The median salary for solar photovoltaic installers in the Salinas, CA metro area is $62,260 a year, or $29.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid solar photovoltaic installers make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of solar photovoltaic installers in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $71,750 a year. The top 25% earn $71,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for solar photovoltaic installers in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,360 a year, and a quarter of solar photovoltaic installers earn $62,250 or less.