Trades & Labor Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Solar Installer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median solar installer salary in Rochester, NY is $42,903 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$42,903
vs State Avg
$-15,254
vs National
$-4,767
Cost of Living
90%

Solar Installer Pay in Rochester: What to Expect (2026)

Rochester offers a median solar installer salary of $42,903, which is $15,254 below the New York state average of $58,157. Compared to the national median of $47,670, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for solar installers in Rochester spans from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $64,800 at the 90th percentile — a $36,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,600, while senior solar installers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,200. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Solar Installer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level solar installer earns around $30,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,600
$-3,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$44,100
$-4,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,200
$-6,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $28,800
25th Percentile $34,200
Median (50th) $42,903
75th Percentile $54,000
90th Percentile $64,800

Solar Installer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$89,143
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$64,355
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$46,717
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$43,856
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Solar Installer in Rochester

Education

Most solar installer positions require a high school diploma. Rochester and the surrounding New York area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Solar PV SystemsElectricalRoofingSafetyBlueprint ReadingNEC Code

Job Outlook

Nationally, solar installer employment is projected to grow 22% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Solar Installer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open solar installer positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Installer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Solar Installer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median solar installer salary in Rochester, New York is $42,903 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $47,670. Salaries range from $28,800 (10th percentile) to $64,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Solar Installer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,903, a solar installer in Rochester earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for solar installer pay? ▼
Rochester's median solar installer salary of $42,903 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $58,157. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a solar installer salary of $42,903 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a solar installer in Rochester? ▼
Most solar installer positions in Rochester require a high school diploma. Key skills include Solar PV Systems, Electrical, Roofing, Safety. The job market is projected to grow 22% nationally over the next decade.