Education · 1 of 5
The path
The shortest route to a full wage on this site, and the reason a lot of people use it as a first job in construction.
- 1
High school diploma or equivalent
Grade 12
A diploma or a GED (high school equivalency credential) is enough for most companies. Basic math and comfort with tools matter more than grades.
- 2
Get on a crew
Weeks
Residential installers hire year round in sunny states. You start carrying panels and learning racking before you touch wiring.
- 3
Learn the system
A few months to a year
Racking, mounting, flashing a roof so it does not leak, running conduit, connecting inverters, and the safety rules for working at height.
- 4
Certify
Year 1 to year 3
The associate-level photovoltaic credential is the normal first step, then the installation professional certification once you have documented experience.
- 5
Lead, or go electrical
2 to 6 years
Run a crew, move to commercial and utility projects, or start an electrical apprenticeship and come back with a license.