If you're looking to launch a solar trade career in St. Petersburg, FL, you'll find a booming job market with over 130 active solar job openings in 2025 alone1. The city's nickname as the "Sunshine City" is more than just a moniker—it's a testament to the area's solar potential and job opportunities, as detailed on SEIA's research page. With at least 16 active solar companies operating in the region, including industry leaders like Demand Construction, Solar Optimum, and Transform Solar2, now is an ideal time to enter this rapidly growing field.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 27% growth in solar photovoltaic installer jobs between 2022 and 2025, significantly outpacing average job growth across other industries3. Whether you're a recent graduate exploring career options or someone looking to switch careers, St. Petersburg's solar sector offers rewarding opportunities with competitive salaries—solar consultants in the area earn an average annual salary of $142,918, while solar sales representatives with commissions can make $120,000 or more annually4. For more on job growth, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Before diving into specific steps, it's essential to understand the various roles in the solar trade industry. Common positions in St. Petersburg include:
While no formal education is required for most solar jobs, certifications and training programs, such as those from NABCEP, can significantly enhance employment prospects.
Yes! To work as a certified solar contractor in St. Petersburg, FL, you need to obtain:
The NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is not required but highly recommended as it demonstrates expertise5. Check out NABCEP's site for more details.
To qualify for solar contractor licensing, you must:
To prepare for licensing exams and gain foundational knowledge of the solar industry, training programs are highly recommended. Key options include:
To find solar apprenticeships in St. Petersburg:
To become a solar trade professional in St. Petersburg, FL, you must meet the following requirements:
Although not always mandatory, completing a solar trade education program can give you a solid foundation in the field. These programs are offered by trade schools and technical institutes in St. Petersburg and typically cover topics such as:
An apprenticeship is a crucial step in building a successful solar career. In St. Petersburg, you can gain hands-on experience through the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship Program, which combines practical fieldwork with classroom learning1.
To find apprenticeships:
During your apprenticeship, you'll work under the supervision of experienced professionals, developing practical skills in solar installation, system maintenance, and customer interaction.
After completing your training and apprenticeship, the next step is to obtain your licenses. To qualify for a Certified Solar Contractor License in Florida, you must:
Once licensed, you can work independently as a qualified solar contractor in St. Petersburg.
As the solar industry continues to grow, there are numerous opportunities for advancement:
Continuing education is also valuable, particularly in emerging technologies like energy storage integration and smart grid technologies, which are becoming increasingly important in the industry7. Check out this resource for more on specialization.
Florida experienced 15% growth in solar jobs in 2023, adding 1,841 positions that year alone6. This trend is expected to continue, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy solutions and supportive state policies.
| Job Title | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary (based on 40-hour workweek) |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Installer | $23.16 | $48,173 |
| Solar Technician | $24.50 (est.) | $51,000 (est.) |
| Solar Consultant | N/A | $142,918 |
| Solar Sales Representative | N/A | $120,000 (with commissions)4 |
The job outlook is particularly bright:
The solar job market in St. Petersburg is vibrant, with over 130 active solar job openings at any given time8.
Starting a career in the solar trade in St. Petersburg, FL is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing industry that's making a positive environmental impact while offering competitive pay and fulfilling work. Whether you're just finishing high school or considering a career change, following the steps outlined above will set you on the path to success in this dynamic field.
As the demand for solar energy continues to grow, driven by Florida's abundant sunshine, favorable policies, and decreasing costs (down 43% over the past decade)5, the opportunities in solar trades will only continue to expand.
Good luck on your journey and be sure to check out Gild for solar apprenticeship opportunities near you!
The solar trade industry in St. Petersburg is poised for continued growth, with several trends and challenges shaping its future:
By choosing a career in the solar trades, you'll not only be positioning yourself at the forefront of clean energy innovation but also contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
https://www.electricity-today.com/news/florida-ranks-second-in-solar-power-capacity-for-2024 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-companies/fl/pinellas-county/saint-petersburg/ ↩
https://farmonaut.com/usa/florida-solar-power-growth-leading-utility-scale-surge ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/saint-petersburg-solar-sales-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,16_IC1154421_KO17,28.htm ↩ ↩2
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/residential/florida-has-installed-the-second-most-solar-power-capacity-in-the-country-in-2024/ ↩ ↩2
https://seia.org/research-resources/solar-industry-research-data/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://aspiresolarenergy.com/florida-leads-the-nation-in-solar-power-growth/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://www.indeed.com/q-solar-l-saint-petersburg,-fl-jobs.html ↩
