Geothermal Technicians
SOC code 49-9099 · O*NET-SOC 49-9099.01 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Geothermal Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,230
a year
Hourly
$23.67
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,850
$25.89 per hour
Middle 50%
$42,170 – $61,900
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,080 – $77,040
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
176,300
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $36,080
- $17.35/hr
- 25th percentile
- $42,170
- $20.28/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,230
- $23.67/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,900
- $29.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $77,040
- $37.04/hr
What does a geothermal technician do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
- 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.
- Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.
- Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.
- Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.
How to become a geothermal technician
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 66% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)66%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20%
- Some College Courses12%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2%
Common questions
How much does a geothermal technician earn?
The national median is $49,230 a year. The full range runs from $36,080 at the 10th percentile to $77,040 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a geothermal technician without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.4/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Physics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Chemistry3.3/5
- Design3.3/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance.