SOLAR PV INSTALLER
Installs photovoltaic systems on roofs and ground mounts. Growing trade, often a stepping stone to electrician. Rhode Island is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Rhode Island: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Rhode Island Dept. of Labor and Training — Professional Regulation. Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Rhode Island. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $17–$22/hr | $34,000 – $44,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $25–$38/hr | $50,000 – $76,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $51,860 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $78,320 |
Rhode Island is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Rhode Island's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
Rhode Island is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — it administers its own apprenticeship programs separately from the federal RAPIDS system. Contact the state labor department directly or visit apprenticeship.gov and filter by state.
- · IBEW (some classifications)
The Exam.
Most states use the NEC (National Electrical Code) as the basis for the journeyman and master electrician exam. Rhode Island may be on a different NEC edition than the current one — confirm which edition before you study. Pass rates vary significantly: some states run 50–60% first-time pass rates, others run higher. PSI Exams and Prometric administer most state electrical exams. Bring your NEC codebook (tabbed) where allowed. Prevailing wage requirements in Rhode Island apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Industry is heavily policy-dependent — tax credits and net metering rules drive demand.
- 02Many solar installer jobs are seasonal or project-based, not year-round.
- 03Roof work in summer heat is grueling. Stay hydrated.
- 04NABCEP certification is the real credential for moving up.