Trades & Labor Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Solar Installer Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median solar installer salary in Brookings, SD is $40,996 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$40,996
vs State Avg
$-954
vs National
$-6,674
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median solar installer salary of $40,996, which is $954 below the South Dakota state average of $41,950. Compared to the national median of $47,670, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $40,996 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $47,670 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for solar installers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for solar installers in Brookings spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $61,920 at the 90th percentile — a $34,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,240, while senior solar installers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $58,480. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Solar Installer Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level solar installer earns around $29,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $58,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,240
$-4,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,140
$-6,860 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $32,680
Median (50th) $40,996
75th Percentile $51,600
90th Percentile $61,920

Solar Installer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$43,856
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$42,903
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$40,043
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$39,089
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Solar Installer in Brookings

Education

Most solar installer positions require a high school diploma. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota 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 Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Solar Installer Jobs in Brookings

Browse open solar installer positions in Brookings, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Installer Salary in Brookings

How much does a Solar Installer make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median solar installer salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $40,996 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $47,670. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $61,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Solar Installer make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $40,996, a solar installer in Brookings earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for solar installer pay? ▼
Brookings's median solar installer salary of $40,996 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $41,950. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a solar installer salary of $40,996 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a solar installer in Brookings? ▼
Most solar installer positions in Brookings 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.