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Geothermal Technicians: Career Profile
Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources. Monitor and control operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities and perform maintenance and repairs as necessary. Install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps.
What Do Geothermal Technicians Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of geothermal technicians cover:
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
- Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.
- Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.
- Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful geothermal technicians combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Geothermal Technicians Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Corrosion Technician
- Design Technician
- Distribution Field Technician
- Field Distribution Technician
- Geothermal Field Technician
- Geothermal HVAC Technician (Geothermal Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Technician)
- Geothermal Installer
- Geothermal Service Technician
How Many Geothermal Technicians Are There?
There are about 39,927 geothermal technicians working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +0.1% over the projection horizon.
Geothermal Technicians Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $64,661 |
| Hourly median | $31.09 |
| 10th percentile | $43,562 |
| 25th percentile | $54,112 |
| 75th percentile | $75,210 |
| 90th percentile | $85,759 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 |
| Mississippi | $61,560 |
| Washington | $59,610 |
| Minnesota | $58,800 |
| Maine | $58,580 |
| Kentucky | $57,430 |
| Rhode Island | $57,200 |
| Connecticut | $56,460 |
| Wisconsin | $54,930 |
| Guam | $54,910 |
| New York | $53,550 |
| Illinois | $53,500 |
| Louisiana | $52,440 |
| Idaho | $52,380 |
| Massachusetts | $52,190 |
| New Jersey | $50,960 |
| Oregon | $50,750 |
| California | $50,520 |
| Vermont | $50,460 |
| Utah | $50,080 |
| South Carolina | $49,800 |
| Oklahoma | $49,510 |
| North Dakota | $49,390 |
| Missouri | $49,300 |
| Colorado | $49,260 |
| Nevada | $49,000 |
| Wyoming | $48,980 |
| New Mexico | $48,980 |
| Delaware | $48,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,330 |
| West Virginia | $48,300 |
| Montana | $48,230 |
| Maryland | $48,040 |
| District of Columbia | $47,900 |
| Virginia | $47,850 |
| New Hampshire | $47,840 |
| Arizona | $47,750 |
| Indiana | $47,520 |
| Ohio | $47,310 |
| South Dakota | $47,130 |
| Iowa | $46,760 |
| Kansas | $46,680 |
| Florida | $46,330 |
| Arkansas | $46,260 |
| Alabama | $46,230 |
| Michigan | $46,030 |
| Tennessee | $45,760 |
| Georgia | $45,720 |
| North Carolina | $45,590 |
| Texas | $44,960 |
| Nebraska | $44,240 |
| Virgin Islands | $42,170 |
| Puerto Rico | $26,650 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for geothermal technicians vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $54,529 | 3.1% | 0.89 |
| Far Western US | $51,896 | 21.3% | 1.34 |
| Plains States | $50,619 | 5.7% | 0.93 |
| Middle Atlantic | $50,038 | 10.4% | 0.87 |
| Rocky Mountains | $49,495 | 4.8% | 1.32 |
| Great Lakes | $49,486 | 12.1% | 0.97 |
| Southeast | $47,597 | 29.7% | 1.46 |
| Southwest | $45,978 | 12.6% | 1.07 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Geothermal Technicians
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $80,180 | 690 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $76,360 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | WA | $75,750 | 1,340 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | MS | $69,040 | 180 |
| Alexandria, LA | LA | $66,340 | 160 |
| Lebanon, PA | PA | $64,980 | 80 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | ME | $62,830 | 740 |
| Manhattan, KS | KS | $61,920 | 90 |
Top Industries Employing Geothermal Technicians
The bulk of geothermal technicians work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 35,080 | $46,040 |
| Manufacturing | 25,210 | $50,580 |
| Wholesale Trade | 24,830 | $49,960 |
| Retail Trade | 21,500 | $46,600 |
| Construction | 21,460 | $47,740 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8,260 | $47,650 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 6,490 | $38,480 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 6,450 | $46,210 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Geothermal Technicians Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for geothermal technicians tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Telephone Conversations
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How to Become Geothermal Technicians
Most geothermal technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Primary-Short)
- Biomass Power Plant Managers (Supplemental)
- Hydroelectric Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Mechanical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Aspiring geothermal technicians typically earn programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
9 programs across 4 majors
- Precision Systems Maintenance
- Electronics Maintenance & Repair
- Mechanics & Repairers
- Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9099.01 (Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other).
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