We all know that solar is good for the planet, but did you realize that there are over 6,000 solar jobs in the Washington metro area? Nearly 1,300 of those are in the District alone! That number will only continue to rise according to the Solar Foundation’s 2017 Solar Jobs Census, which states that solar employment grew by 110% between 2012 and 2017, a rate that is nine times faster than the growth of the overall U.S. economy.
Solar jobs pay well, too. Solar installation firms represent about half of the workforce, and the national median income for mid-level installers is $21 per hour, with supervisors earning about $30. Not so interested in installing? There are lots of career options in the solar industry, including manufacturing, project development, sales and distribution, and many others. Further, 79% of solar companies say that they don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
The solar industry is also more diverse than comparable industries, even though it could still be better. Currently 17% of solar workers are Latino, 8% are Asian, 7% are African American, and 27% are women. It’s part of GRID’s mission to make the solar workforce more inclusive, and we are working hard to ensure that solar jobs are accessible to everyone regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic background, or any other factors.
If you’re interested in working in solar and fighting climate change, then make sure to attend the free Solar Focus Job Fair on October 30th. Many of the Mid-Atlantic’s top solar employers will be there, so don’t forget to register!