Trades & Labor Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Solar Installer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median solar installer salary in Knoxville, TN is $41,950 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$41,950
vs State Avg
$-476
vs National
$-5,720
Cost of Living
88%

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

Knoxville offers a median solar installer salary of $41,950, which is $476 below the Tennessee state average of $42,426. Compared to the national median of $47,670, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $41,950 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $47,670 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for solar installers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for solar installers in Knoxville spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $63,360 at the 90th percentile — a $35,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,920, while senior solar installers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $59,840. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Solar Installer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level solar installer earns around $29,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $59,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,920
$-4,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,120
$-5,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$59,840
$-8,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $33,440
Median (50th) $41,950
75th Percentile $52,800
90th Percentile $63,360

Solar Installer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$47,670
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$43,856
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$41,950
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$40,996
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Solar Installer in Knoxville

Education

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

Find Solar Installer Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open solar installer positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Installer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Solar Installer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median solar installer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $41,950 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $47,670. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $63,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Solar Installer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,950, a solar installer in Knoxville earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for solar installer pay? ▼
Knoxville's median solar installer salary of $41,950 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $42,426. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼
Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a solar installer salary of $41,950 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a solar installer in Knoxville? ▼
Most solar installer positions in Knoxville 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.