Entering the solar trade in Salem, OR, often begins with a Registered Apprenticeship Program, which combines hands-on experience with technical instruction, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. These programs typically last about 2,000 hours per year of on-the-job training combined with 144 hours of technical instruction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the solar industry employed 279,447 workers nationwide as of December 2023, with a 5.9% increase from 2022. In Salem, OR, the average weekly wage for solar professionals is approximately $1,190.40, with experienced professionals often earning over $148,000 annually. Training programs, community colleges, and organizations like NABCEP offer pathways to a career in the solar trade, leading to strong earning potential and a role in the growing clean energy sector.
