Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Machines can already do 15% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 50%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 15% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 50% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 465,840 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $63,800 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 73% for contact with people.
- Also called: Installer, Solar Energy Technician, Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer), Solar Installer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue | 14% | 3% to 30% | |
| Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills solar thermal installers and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Biofuels Production Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $126,060
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,990
- Solar Energy Installation Managers47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,920
- Orthotists and Prosthetists40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $81,110
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of solar thermal installers and technicians?
Machines can do 15% of the tasks of solar thermal installers and technicians today and 50% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-2152.04 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/solar-thermal-installers-and-technicians/