A side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training to help you choose between becoming a hvac technician and a solar technician.
| HVAC Technician | Solar Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median salary | $59,810 | $51,860 |
| Typical salary range | $60,000-$91,000 | $52,000-$80,000 |
| Job growth (2024–34) | 8% | 42% |
| Time to job-ready | 6 months-2 years | 2-6 months |
| Typical training cost | $10,000 | $5,000 |
HVAC Technician has the higher BLS median wage ($59,810), while Solar Technician gets you earning faster (2-6 months). Solar Technician has the stronger projected job growth (42% through 2034). Your degree is an advantage in either — use the quiz to see which fits your background, or run both through the ROI calculator against your student loans.
Median wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Training costs and timelines are typical estimates. Data last updated June 2026.