Welder vs Solar PV Installer
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
Welder
Welding · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,902
Salary Range$41,148 – $66,632
5yr Growth+8%
Trade Pay ScoreD (54/100)
Total Employment144,671
Cities Tracked30
Solar PV Installer
Electrical · 2yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,287
Salary Range$43,090 – $66,757
5yr Growth+22%
Trade Pay ScoreB (78/100)
Total Employment244,363
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Welder | Solar PV Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $65,753 | +$879 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $66,757 | -$4,458 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $55,155 | +$5,405 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $59,766 | -$1,044 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $62,081 | -$5,670 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $51,811 | +$4,147 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $53,197 | +$1,018 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $49,273 | +$2,900 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $47,597 | +$4,362 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $55,717 | -$3,923 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $53,227 | -$1,598 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $46,431 | +$4,969 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $49,002 | +$2,029 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $50,876 | -$374 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $43,665 | +$5,888 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $47,056 | +$2,154 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $49,101 | -$66 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $47,345 | +$1,611 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $46,122 | +$2,347 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $43,090 | +$5,266 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $52,197 | -$3,874 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $50,972 | -$2,656 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $43,828 | +$4,285 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $45,737 | +$1,853 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $43,179 | +$3,639 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $48,077 | -$2,062 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $43,848 | +$1,716 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $44,729 | +$116 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $45,887 | -$4,421 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $47,144 | -$5,996 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or Solar PV Installers make more money?
Welders earn more on average, with a national median salary of $50,902 compared to $50,287 — a difference of $615 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or Solar PV Installer?
Solar PV Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 22% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Solar PV Installer requires 2 years.
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