Solar Panel Installer.
Virginia Beach.
$44,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$36,000 to $55,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Solar Panel Installer in Virginia Beach earns a median of $44,000 in 2026. That is 6% below the national average. The range runs from $36,000 to $55,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. NABCEP certification, electrical licensing, and experience with commercial-scale installations drive the biggest pay differences.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $39,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$29,000
to $35,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$37,000
to $46,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$48,000
to $57,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$55,000
to $68,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $11,000 to the total package.
Base
$44,000
Equity
$6,000
Bonus
$4,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $55,000
How Virginia Beach compares
Virginia Beach, VA
$44,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$47,000
Virginia Beach is $3,000 below
Solar Panel Installer salary by city
Salary by role in Virginia Beach
What you should know
Here is what the Solar Panel Installer market actually looks like in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach anchors the Hampton Roads region with a strong military presence, growing cybersecurity sector, and expanding tech corridor. Naval Station Norfolk drives significant defense contractor employment. The lower cost of living compared to Northern Virginia attracts remote workers and military-to-civilian transitions. 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 Virginia Beach, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
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: virginia's flat 5.75% state income tax applies. Virginia Beach has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with lower housing costs than Northern Virginia creates good take home pay. When someone quotes you $44,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage military transition benefits. Hampton Roads employers value candidates with security clearances and military technical experience. The range for Solar Panel Installers in Virginia Beach runs from $36,000 to $55,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A Customer Service Representative in Virginia Beach earns $42,000 (5% less)
- The highest-paying role in Virginia Beach is Distinguished Engineer at $336,000
Common questions.
Solar Panel Installer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Virginia Beach
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