Prevailing Wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Solar Photovoltaic Installers (SOC 47-2231) are covered by DOL prevailing wage requirements whenever a U.S. employer files an LCA for H-1B, E-3, or PERM sponsorship. Whether the offer is for a PV Installer, Solar Electric Installer, or PV Installation Tech role, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor shifts significantly by city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level solar installers with limited field experience, typically under one year. Workers at this level follow instructions closely, handle basic module mounting and racking tasks, and require direct supervision throughout the installation process.
Level 2 applies to qualified installers who work independently on standard residential and commercial PV systems. This is the most common filing level for Solar Photovoltaic Installers, covering workers who read schematics, perform current checks, and handle routine troubleshooting without direct oversight.
Level 3 covers experienced installers who manage complex system configurations, coordinate with electricians and inspectors, and mentor junior crew members. Workers at this level handle non-routine situations and apply specialized knowledge of balance-of-system components and code compliance.
Level 4 applies to fully competent installers in senior or lead roles: crew leads, site supervisors, or senior PV technicians who direct full installation crews, own quality assurance, and may carry electrical licenses or advanced certifications such as NABCEP.
Prevailing Wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Solar Photovoltaic Installers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite state before accepting an offer
Solar installation wages vary more by state than almost any other trades occupation. California metros pay significantly more than Indiana or Puerto Rico for the same Level 2 role, and the LCA must list the actual installation worksite, not the employer's headquarters.
Watch for NABCEP certification inflating your filed level
Employers sometimes file PV installers holding NABCEP credentials at Level 3 or 4 to justify higher pay, but if your day-to-day work scope is routine residential installation, your experience level may not support that filing and USCIS can challenge it.
Check California metros separately from national medians
Santa Cruz, San Jose, and San Francisco metros post prevailing wage floors substantially above the national median for PV installers. If your offer cites a national figure but your worksite is in coastal California, the offer may fall below the locally required floor.
Find employers who have sponsored PV installers before
Solar installation sponsorship is concentrated among utility-scale developers and large regional installers rather than small residential contractors. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actual H-1B and green card sponsorship history for this occupation so you can target the right companies.
Jobs for Solar Photovoltaic Installers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Solar Photovoltaic InstallersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2231.00 alongside Solar Photovoltaic Installers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer) positions fall under SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician) Prevailing Wage
PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Solar Designer Prevailing Wage
Solar Designer Prevailing Wage
Solar Designer positions fall under SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Solar Electric Installer Prevailing Wage
Solar Electric Installer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Solar Electric Installer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Solar Installer Prevailing Wage
Solar Installer Prevailing Wage
Solar Installer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Solar Panel Installation Technician (Solar Panel Installation Tech) Prevailing Wage
Solar Panel Installation Technician (Solar Panel Installation Tech) Prevailing Wage
Solar Panel Installation Technician (Solar Panel Installation Tech) positions fall under SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator) Prevailing Wage
Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator) Prevailing Wage
Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Solar Technician (Solar Tech) Prevailing Wage
Solar Technician (Solar Tech) Prevailing Wage
Solar Technician (Solar Tech) positions fall under SOC 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers?
DOL derives prevailing wages for Solar Photovoltaic Installers from Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For each metropolitan area, DOL maps BLS wage percentiles to four experience levels. Employers file a Labor Condition Application through OFLC and must pay at least the prevailing wage for the level and location declared on that LCA.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
DOL's four levels reflect experience and job complexity. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision. Level 2 covers independent work on standard PV systems and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced workers handling complex systems and mentoring others. Level 4 covers lead or senior roles directing crews. The level on your LCA should match your actual duties and years of experience, not just your title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same PV installer role vary so much by city?
DOL uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys to set metro-specific wage floors, so local labor market conditions drive the numbers. An LCA must list the actual installation worksite address, not the employer's office, which means a solar company headquartered in a low-wage market still owes the higher local floor if your crew works in a California coastal metro. OFLC enforces this worksite-on-LCA rule strictly.
What happens if an employer offers me a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage floor for the declared level and worksite. USCIS will not approve an H-1B or PERM petition backed by a deficient LCA. If a discrepancy surfaces after approval, the employer can face back-wage liability and debarment. You cannot waive the prevailing wage requirement, and employers cannot average in equity or one-time bonuses to meet the floor.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific Solar Photovoltaic Installers location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current four-level wages for SOC 47-2231 in any covered metro area. Select the state and metropolitan statistical area matching your actual worksite, not your employer's headquarters. For historical LCA filings by employer, OFLC publishes disclosure data you can search by company and occupation. Migrate Mate also shows which employers have sponsored Solar Photovoltaic Installers roles so you can identify active sponsors in your target market.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Solar Photovoltaic Installers right now.
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