Home / Career Explorer / Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Geothermal Technicians

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$48640	21500	2.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$48640

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

21500

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

2.4%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
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.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
Repair green energy equipment or systems.
Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Pour materials into or on designated areas.
Develop equipment or component configurations.
Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.
Dig holes or trenches.
Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
Maintain work equipment or machinery.
Repair electronic equipment.
Calibrate equipment to specifications.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
Document operational activities.
Move large objects using heavy equipment.
Maintain repair or maintenance records.
Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
Operate welding equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
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.
Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.
Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.
Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.
Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.
Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.
Test water sources for factors, such as flow volume and contaminant presence.
Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.
Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.
Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.
Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.
Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.
Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.
Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Session has been expired