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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. Solar Panel Installer/
  4. Newark

Solar Panel Installer.

Newark.

$56,000

median salary, 19% above the national average

$45,000 to $69,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Newark is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Solar Panel Installers, that shakes out to a median of $56,000, with the full range spanning $45,000 to $69,000. NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences. Know the range before you walk in.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$45,000

per year

Median

$56,000

per year

75th Percentile

$69,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$45,000$69,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $51,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$36,000

to $45,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$48,000

to $59,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$62,000

to $73,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$70,000

to $87,000

Salary trend

+6% YoY
$46,000
2022
$48,000
2023
$51,000
2024
$53,000
2025
$56,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.

Base

$56,000

Equity

$7,000

Bonus

$5,000

Signing

$1,000

Estimated total: $69,000

How Newark compares

Newark, NJ

$56,000

Cost of living: 18% above average

National Average

$47,000

Newark is $9,000 above

Solar Panel Installer salary by city

Solar Panel Installer salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$67,000$54,000 – $82,0001.38x$49,000
New York, NY$63,000$51,000 – $77,0001.28x$49,000
Honolulu, HI$63,000$51,000 – $78,0001.30x$48,000
San Francisco, CA$62,000$50,000 – $77,0001.35x$46,000
Washington DC, DC$59,000$48,000 – $73,0001.25x$47,000
Seattle, WA$58,000$47,000 – $72,0001.24x$47,000
Los Angeles, CA$57,000$46,000 – $70,0001.18x$48,000
Newark, NJ$56,000$45,000 – $69,0001.18x$47,000
Boston, MA$55,000$45,000 – $68,0001.22x$45,000
San Diego, CA$55,000$44,000 – $68,0001.17x$47,000

See all 30 cities for Solar Panel Installer →

Salary by role in Newark

Salary comparison by role in Newark
RoleMedianRange
Chief AI Officer$362,000$269,000 – $467,000
Chief Data & AI Officer$359,000$267,000 – $468,000
Chief Technology Officer$339,000$251,000 – $444,000
Licensed Practical Nurse$58,000$48,000 – $71,000
Medical Coder / Biller$58,000$47,000 – $74,000
Automotive Technician$57,000$43,000 – $76,000
Social Worker$57,000$46,000 – $72,000
Solar Panel Installer$56,000$45,000 – $69,000

What you should know

Here is what the Solar Panel Installer market actually looks like in Newark. Newark is experiencing a major revitalization, anchored by Prudential Financial, Audible, and a growing tech and startup scene. The city's proximity to Manhattan, combined with significantly lower office costs, has attracted companies seeking New York area talent at reduced overhead. Transportation, pharmaceutical, and logistics companies also have a strong presence. NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences. Installers in states with strong solar incentives like California, Texas, and Florida earn more due to higher demand and project volume.

Entry-level Solar Installers earn $38,000 to $43,000. Experienced installers with NABCEP certification reach $46,000 to $54,000. Lead Installers and Site Supervisors command $55,000 to $68,000, while Operations Managers and business owners can earn $75,000 to $100,000. In Newark, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.

Base salary is not the full picture. Overtime pay during peak installation season can add $5,000 to $12,000 annually. Many employers offer tool allowances, safety gear, and per diem pay for travel to remote sites. Health insurance and retirement plans vary by company size. And on the tax side: new Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Newark has a payroll tax but no separate city income tax. The high state rate makes salary negotiation critical. When someone quotes you $56,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Negotiate aggressively to account for New Jersey's high state taxes. Employers near NYC understand the tax burden and often adjust compensation upward for NJ-based talent. The range for Solar Panel Installers in Newark runs from $45,000 to $69,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Solar Panel Installer offer to see where you stand in Newark.

$

25th

$45,000

Median

$56,000

75th

$69,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Automotive Technician in Newark earns $57,000 (2% more)
  • The highest-paying role in Newark is Chief AI Officer at $362,000

Common questions.

NABCEP-certified solar installers earn 10 to 20% more than non-certified peers. The certification demonstrates expertise in system design, installation, and safety that employers and customers value, especially for commercial and utility-scale projects.

Solar installation is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the US, with demand projected to increase 20 to 25% through 2030. Federal tax credits and state renewable mandates continue to drive residential and commercial installations nationwide.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Overtime pay during peak installation season can add $5,000 to $12,000 annually. In Newark's market, these extras can add $14,000 or more on top of the base salary.

NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences. Installers in states with strong solar incentives like California, Texas, and Florida earn more due to higher demand and project volume. In Newark, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $45,000 to the 75th percentile of $69,000 or beyond.

Newark is experiencing a major revitalization, anchored by Prudential Financial, Audible, and a growing tech and startup scene. The city's proximity to Manhattan, combined with significantly lower office costs, has attracted companies seeking New York area talent at reduced overhead. For Solar Panel Installers specifically, the median salary of $56,000 reflects that demand.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Solar Panel Installers. Some Newark employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In a high cost market like Newark, remote roles may pay 10 to 20% less than local positions. The $45,000 to $69,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Newark is experiencing a major revitalization, anchored by Prudential Financial, Audible, and a growing tech and startup scene. The city's proximity to Manhattan, combined with significantly lower office costs, has attracted companies seeking New York area talent at reduced overhead. For Solar Panel Installers specifically, nabcep certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences, which signals sustained demand. The current compensation range of $45,000 to $69,000 reflects a market that is competing for talent.

Solar Panel Installer salary in other cities

Los Angeles$57,000
Little Rock$39,000
Louisville$41,000
Las Vegas$45,000
Miami$51,000
Minneapolis$49,000

Other salaries in Newark

Accountant$87,000
Applied AI Researcher$220,000
Agentic Orchestrator$236,000
Autonomous Systems Engineer$230,000

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Solar Panel Installer Salary in Newark, NJ." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/solar-panel-installer/newark

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