Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors earn a median of $104,920 per year ($50.44/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.2% through 2035, with about 23,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 41-4011
- Sales and Related
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Solar Sales Representative and Assessor in four numbers
- Median pay
- $104,920a year, or $50.44/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $53KTop 10% $200K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.2%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 23,600292,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025292K
- Projected 2035295.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 292K Projected 2035 295.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school9.4%
- Certificate10.2%
- Associate's44.9%
- Bachelor's21.6%
- Post-bacc certificate7%
- Master's4.4%
Highest education held by solar sales representatives and assessors Segment Value High school 9.4% Certificate 10.2% Associate's 44.9% Bachelor's 21.6% Post-bacc certificate 7% Master's 4.4%
Also advertised as: Energy Consultant, Sales Associate, Sales Consultant, Sales Representative (Sales Rep), Salesman, Solar Consultant.
Pay
How much do solar sales representatives and assessors make?
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors earn a median of $104,920 a year ($50.44 an hour, or about $8,740 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $52,600 and the top 10% more than $200,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Colorado, with a median of $135,000. See Solar sales representative and assessor salary in Colorado and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($163,650 average): salary in every city.
Every solar sales representative and assessor in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$104,920
Middle half earn $75,030 to $158,160
- 10th
- $52,600
- 25th
- $75,030
- 75th
- $158,160
- 90th
- $200,440
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,600 |
| 25th | $75,030 |
| Median | $104,920 |
| 75th | $158,160 |
| 90th | $200,440 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $104,920
- Median hourly wage
- $50.44/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $119,730
- People employed
- 284,800
Versus all US occupations
At $104,920, Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors earn 106% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $53,940 a year.
Versus sales and related occupations
Inside the Sales and Related group, where the middle occupation pays $73,220, this is 43% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $200,440 or more while the bottom 10% earn $52,600, a gap of 3.8×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 79% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Colorado posts the highest raw median ($135,000), but once local prices are taken into account Kansas leads at $145,279 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay solar sales representatives and assessors the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Colorado | $135,000 | $131,002 | 4,150 |
| 2New Jersey | $131,360 | $120,730 | 5,600 |
| 3Kansas | $130,850 | $145,279 | 2,440 |
| 4New York | $129,410 | $119,912 | 10,500 |
| 5Georgia | $128,850 | $133,810 | 5,700 |
| 6Virginia | $128,270 | $126,869 | 6,060 |
| 7Washington | $127,390 | $119,042 | 9,960 |
| 8Hawaii | $126,110 | $114,697 | 540 |
| 9Michigan | $125,650 | $130,590 | 9,140 |
| 10North Carolina | $125,370 | $132,911 | 11,990 |
Job outlook
Is solar sales representative and assessor a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors | +1.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors to change 1.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 23,600 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 292,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to decline 0 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives varies by occupation (see table).
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a solar sales representative and assessor
Educational requirements vary with the type of product sold. If the products are not scientific or technical, a high school diploma is generally enough for entry into the occupation. If the products are scientific or technical, sales representatives typically need at least a bachelor’s degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as solar sales representatives and assessors.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree44.9%
- Bachelor's Degree21.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10.2%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9.4%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 44.9% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 21.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.2% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 9.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a solar sales representative and assessor do?
Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. They contact customers, explain the features of the products they are selling, negotiate prices, and answer any questions that their customers may have about the products.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.
- Provide technical information about solar power, solar systems, equipment, and services to potential customers or dealers.
- Provide customers with information, such as quotes, orders, sales, shipping, warranties, credit, funding options, incentives, or tax rebates.
- Gather information from prospective customers to identify their solar energy needs.
- Select solar energy products, systems, or services for customers based on electrical energy requirements, site conditions, price, or other factors.
- Assess sites to determine suitability for solar equipment, using equipment such as tape measures, compasses, and computer software.
- Calculate potential solar resources or solar array production for a particular site considering issues such as climate, shading, and roof orientation.
- Prepare or review detailed design drawings, specifications, or lists related to solar installations.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives work full time and many work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where solar sales representatives and assessors work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods33%
- Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods21%
- Manufacturing18%
- Wholesale trade agents and brokers9%
- Retail trade6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 33% |
| Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods | 21% |
| Manufacturing | 18% |
| Wholesale trade agents and brokers | 9% |
| Retail trade | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Active Listening3.5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Mathematics2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Persuasion3.6
- Service Orientation3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.5
- Negotiation3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Persuasion | 3.6 |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 |
| Negotiation | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a solar sales representative and assessor?
Women make up 29.7% of solar sales representatives and assessors, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole.
25.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 44.2 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 29.7%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 44.2All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 25.5%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 1,145,000Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of solar sales representatives and assessors | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 29.7% | 47.1% |
| White | 85.7% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 7.3% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 4.7% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 25.5% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 5.3% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a solar sales representative and assessor?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Solar Sales Representative and Assessor |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 6 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising5.6
- Conventional4.4
- Realistic3.5
- Social2.8
- Investigative2.7
- Artistic1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Solar Sales Representative and Assessor
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Architecture and Engineering
- Management
More sales and related careers
Median annual pay, with solar sales representatives and assessors highlighted
- Sales Engineer$124,900
- Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$104,920
- Solar Sales Representative and Assessor$104,920
- Real Estate Broker$73,220
- Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$72,080
- Insurance Sales Agent$62,280
- Real Estate Agent$52,830
- Travel Agent$50,160
- Cashier$32,880
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Sales Engineer | $124,900 |
| Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product | $104,920 |
| Solar Sales Representative and Assessor | $104,920 |
| Real Estate Broker | $73,220 |
| Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $72,080 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $62,280 |
| Real Estate Agent | $52,830 |
| Travel Agent | $50,160 |
| Cashier | $32,880 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Solar Sales Representative and Assessor appears on
Questions
Solar Sales Representative and Assessor: frequently asked questions
How much do solar sales representatives and assessors make?
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors earn a median of $104,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 106% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $50.44/hr. The middle half earn between $75,030 and $158,160. The top 10% earn $200,440 or more.
How much do solar sales representatives and assessors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for solar sales representatives and assessors is $50.44 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $104,920 annual median works out to about $8,740 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a solar sales representative and assessor?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of solar sales representatives and assessors earn less than $52,600 a year and the bottom quarter less than $75,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do solar sales representatives and assessors make $100k?
Yes, more often than not. The median is $104,920, so more than half of solar sales representatives and assessors earn over $100,000 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). In 29 states the median itself is above $100,000: Colorado ($135,000), New Jersey ($131,360), Kansas ($130,850), New York ($129,410), and 25 more.
Which states pay solar sales representatives and assessors the most?
The highest state medians for Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors are Colorado ($135,000), New Jersey ($131,360), Kansas ($130,850) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Kansas moves to the top at $145,279.
What kind of solar sales representative and assessor earns the most?
BLS does not split solar sales representatives and assessors' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $200,440, against a median of $104,920 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Colorado ($135,000), New Jersey ($131,360), Kansas ($130,850).
Do you need a degree to become a solar sales representative and assessor?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 44.9% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
How long does it take to become a solar sales representative and assessor?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for solar sales representatives and assessors is a bachelor's degree. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing medium preparation.
Is solar sales representative and assessor a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.2% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 23,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a solar sales representative and assessor do?
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. A core O*NET task: prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Customer relationship management CRM software, Document management software.
Do solar sales representatives and assessors work 40 hours a week?
A 40-hour week is the most common pattern, though not a majority. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 0% of solar sales representatives and assessors usually work more than 40 hours a week, 34% work exactly 40 and 16% work fewer. 73% say their schedule is regular and 21% irregular, and 7% work seasonally. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a solar sales representative and assessor?
O*NET scores Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of solar sales representatives and assessors are women?
Women make up 29.7% of solar sales representatives and assessors, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole. 25.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 44.2 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing".