As solar power expands, so do the opportunities for employment within the industry.

According to the National Solar Jobs Census, an annual report published in July by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), the solar industry is taking on more jobs.

The report is a comprehensive review of employment and workforce development in the U.S. solar energy industry. It is based on a survey administered by BW Research for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

According to the census, as of December 2022, there were 263,883 solar workers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This represents an increase of 8,846 jobs, or 3.5% growth since 2021.

This positive growth pattern reveals a contrast within the industry. Specifically, utility-scale jobs and residential jobs were headed in opposite directions. According to the census, the utility-scale solar market lost about 6,000 jobs in 2022. In contrast, residential solar jobs grew by 11%, or about 9,500 jobs.

Other notable trends also emerged. For example, about two-thirds of solar jobs (171,558) were at installation and project development firms. At a distant second, 33,473 jobs were at manufacturing firms. Other jobs included 30,618 in wholesale trade and distribution, 16,585 in operations and maintenance and 11,648 in a miscellaneous “all others” category.

Across the country, solar jobs grew in almost every state (42) and Puerto Rico. Not surprisingly, the state that added the most jobs in 2022 was California. It boasts the nation’s largest solar market, adding more than 2,400 jobs last year. Following far behind were New York (988 jobs), Texas (904 jobs), Florida (506 jobs) and Massachusetts (476 jobs).

Growth in the solar industry is expected to continue. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 27% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, which is projected to grow at a rate of only about 5%.