# Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

> Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 47-2152.04
- **Summary:** Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

## Aliases

- Installer
- Solar Installer
- Solar Maintenance Technician
- Solar Technician
- Solar Energy Technician
- Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer)
- Solar System Installer
- Solar Thermal Installer
- Heat Exchanger
- Solar Boilers Technician
- Solar Installation Technician
- Solar Insulation Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners. | Core | 4.A.4.a.1.b |
| Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.d |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Install solar energy systems. | 4.A.3.a.2.p |
| Maintain mechanical equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Apply identification labels or tags. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Assess locations for potential green technology installations. | 4.A.1.b.3.d |
| Install plumbing or piping. | 4.A.3.a.2.aq |
| Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations. | 4.A.2.b.1.d |
| Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Pour materials into or on designated areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Install gauges or controls. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Inspect industrial or commercial equipment to ensure proper operation. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Apply sealants or other protective coatings. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Apply adhesives to construction materials. | 4.A.3.a.1.g |
| Install insulation in equipment or structures. | 4.A.3.a.2.a |
| Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Communicate with clients about products, procedures, and policies. | 4.A.4.a.1.b |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Installation | transferable_skill | 4.75 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.73 |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 4.65 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 4.45 |
| English Language | knowledge | 4.07 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.01 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.93 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.92 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.78 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.58 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.51 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.5 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.38 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.25 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Adobe Photoshop | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Project Management Software | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA | Development environment software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Oracle Java | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| Salesforce software | Customer relationship management CRM software | yes | no |
| 1CadCam Unigraphics | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| Computer-aided drafting or design software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Cost estimating software | Project management software | no | no |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Inventory control system software | Inventory management software | no | no |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software | no | no |
| PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Work scheduling software | Calendar and scheduling software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.71 |
| Time Pressure | 4.38 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.25 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.24 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.2 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 4.18 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.17 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.16 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.14 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.14 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.12 |
| Contact With Others | 4.03 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.02 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.96 |
| Exposed to High Places | 3.95 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.92 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.9 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.87 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.68 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.63 |
| E-Mail | 3.62 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.46 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.41 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.41 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.36 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3.35 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.33 |
| Level of Competition | 3.32 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 3.31 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.17 |
| Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles | 3.16 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.1 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.08 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.06 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3 |
| Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance | 2.99 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.97 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.86 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.85 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.72 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 43.24 |
| Some College Courses | 24.9 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 11.23 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 11.23 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 7.52 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.88 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.66 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.69 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.7 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.6 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.13 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 47-2231.00 | role-47-2231-00 | Solar Photovoltaic Installers | Primary-Short |
| 17-2199.11 | role-17-2199-11 | Solar Energy Systems Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 49-9021.00 | role-49-9021-00 | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Primary-Short |
| 47-2131.00 | role-47-2131-00 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | Primary-Short |
| 47-1011.03 | role-47-1011-03 | Solar Energy Installation Managers | Primary-Short |
| 47-2132.00 | role-47-2132-00 | Insulation Workers, Mechanical | Primary-Long |
| 47-2152.00 | role-47-2152-00 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Primary-Long |
| 49-9099.01 | role-49-9099-01 | Geothermal Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 49-9081.00 | role-49-9081-00 | Wind Turbine Service Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 49-9012.00 | role-49-9012-00 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | Primary-Long |
| 51-8013.04 | role-51-8013-04 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | Supplemental |
| 17-2141.00 | role-17-2141-00 | Mechanical Engineers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction Trades | construction-trades |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 62970
- **Mean Wage:** 69940
- **Pct10Wage:** 40670
- **Pct25Wage:** 48860
- **Pct75Wage:** 81900
- **Pct90Wage:** 105150
- **Employment:** 455940
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 374640 | 62820 | 15.6 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 326460 | 62670 | 87.17 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 16330 | 61620 | 0.43 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 14610 | 55560 | 0.55 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 9140 | 79090 | 5.33 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 6750 | 64050 | 0.17 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 6560 | 65780 | 2.07 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 5220 | 56250 | 0.67 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 3290 | 63300 | 0.1 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 3220 | 48270 | 0.18 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 2760 | 74990 | 0.04 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 2030 | 70990 | 4.47 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 326460 | 87.17 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 374640 | 15.6 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 9140 | 5.33 |
| 238290 | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | National industry | 2030 | 4.47 |
| 238210 | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | National industry | 6560 | 2.07 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 1210 | 1.75 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 270 | 1.28 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 1180 | 0.7 |
- **Count:** 35

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.35 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.121219 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7583691 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.119614 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 16
- **Percentile:** 13
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 13 | felten_aioe |
| 14 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 20 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.121219 | 13 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.0975609756097561 | 14 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.07431707751346756 | 20 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.35
- **Percentile:** 41
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.04878048780487805
- **Gamma:** 0.0975609756097561

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 4.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 70
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 44
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 88
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 504.5
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 527.2

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 21
- **Skills:** 38
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 19
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** b652ad8e55866886