Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $67,440 +30% vs national
Median hourly $32.42
10th percentile $54,050
90th percentile $108,860
Employed locally 70
National median $51,860

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Solar Photovoltaic Installers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,050
    25th
    $62,590
    50th (median)
    $67,440
    75th
    $99,670
    90th
    $108,860

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary vs area income 62% Median Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Solar Photovoltaic Installers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Rhode Island $103,880
    Reno, NV $76,530
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $76,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $72,900
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $70,390
    Nevada $66,090

    Nearby metros — Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $72,900
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $70,390
    Modesto, CA $64,030
    Salinas, CA $62,650
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,190
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,150

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Carpenters $72,740
    Construction Laborers $59,900
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $86,630
    Electricians $76,940
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $69,350
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $59,560

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Solar Photovoltaic Installers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Santa Cruz, CA is $32.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.15 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Solar Photovoltaic Installers salaries?

    The median Solar Photovoltaic Installers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 30% above the national median of $51,860. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Solar Photovoltaic Installers (10th percentile) earn around $54,050 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,590.