Solar Installer Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Solar installers in Tucson mount panels on midtown roofs and racking on desert solar fields, in a city where the sun is the main natural resource. Entry crews post at roughly $16 to $20 an hour, with on-the-job training common. Current openings are below, followed by who hires and how to move up.
Current Solar Installer Openings in Tucson, AZ
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Solar Installer Work in Tucson
Tucson's solar work splits into two kinds of jobs. Residential and small commercial installers, many of them locally owned shops near downtown and in midtown, put panels, racking and conduit on roofs and carports across the city, from the older neighborhoods off Country Club Road to new subdivisions in Marana and Vail. Utility-scale crews work for general contractors on ground-mount solar fields outside town, setting tracker racking in long rows on open desert.
The climate is both the reason for the work and the hardest part of it. Crews start early to beat the heat, roofs get dangerously hot by midday from May through September, and some shops run four 10-hour days a week. Tucson installers also service older systems, including solar water heating and pool heating, which keeps service technicians busy between new installs.
Top Tucson Employers for Solar Installers
These Tucson-area employers hire installers and solar technicians:
- Technicians for Sustainability - a locally owned solar company on East 19th Street that hires and trains installers, solar electricians and designers.
- Solar Gain - a Tucson residential and commercial solar contractor hiring installers and journeyman electricians for projects around Arizona.
- The Solar Store - a solar shop on North Country Club Road whose PV department hires solar service technicians.
- Flintco - a general contractor that has hired laborer-solar installers in Tucson for utility-scale tracker and racking work.
Solar Installer Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (installer or service tech in training): roughly $16 to $20 an hour.
- Experienced installer: roughly $20 to $27 an hour.
- Senior (solar journeyman electrician or crew lead): roughly $30 to $35 an hour.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. Electrical skill moves pay more than anything else: installers who can size conduit, read one-line drawings and troubleshoot inverters climb toward electrician rates. Some local shops add profit sharing or a four-day week, and utility-scale jobs can bring long overtime weeks while a project lasts.
How to Become a Solar Installer in Tucson
Most Tucson installers are trained on the job. Shops ask for basic tool skills, a valid driver's license and the ability to work on roofs in heat, and some prefer an OSHA-10 card. Arizona does not license individual solar installers; the Arizona Registrar of Contractors licenses the companies that do the work. NABCEP certification is a voluntary national credential that employers count as a plus. To become a full electrician, the Tucson Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program is a state-approved registered apprenticeship for the electrical construction trade.
What the Job Involves
A typical day means loading the truck, setting roof attachments and flashing, mounting rails and modules, running conduit and wire to the inverter and panel, and cleaning up the site. Service technicians troubleshoot underperforming systems, replace inverters, and repair older solar water and pool heating systems. Utility-scale crews drive piles, assemble tracker racking and hang modules in rows.
Skills Employers Look For
- Comfort working on roofs and ladders, with fall protection
- Hand and power tool skills, including conduit bending
- Basic electrical knowledge and familiarity with the NEC
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
- The ability to lift 50 to 75 pounds and work in extreme heat
- OSHA-10 or NABCEP credentials as a bonus
Career Path and Advancement
In Tucson the usual path runs from installer helper to installer, crew lead and then solar electrician, often by entering an electrical apprenticeship along the way. Others move into service and monitoring, system design and drafting, or project management. Installers with field experience also move to the sales side, or to utility-scale construction where foremen and superintendents earn more.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest alternatives for solar installers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to install solar panels in Arizona?
Individual installers do not need a state license in Arizona. The company doing the installation must hold the right license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Electrical work is done under that contractor's license and inspected by the city or county.
How much do solar installers make in Tucson?
Recent Tucson postings have run from about $16 to $27 an hour for installers and service technicians, depending on experience. Journeyman electricians at solar companies post around $30 to $35 an hour.
Can I get a solar installer job with no experience?
Yes. Some Tucson solar companies say they will train new installers on racking, panels and wire runs. Construction, roofing or electrical experience, a clean driving record and an OSHA-10 card make an application stronger.
Is NABCEP certification required?
No. NABCEP is a voluntary national certification. Tucson employers describe it as a plus, and it helps most for lead installer, designer and electrician roles.
What is the hardest part of solar work in Tucson?
The heat. Summer roof surfaces get extremely hot, so crews start early, carry water and often finish before the afternoon peak. Monsoon storms can also halt roof work on short notice in July and August.
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