Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
Overview
Introduction
Geothermal energy industry workers perform a wide range of duties, such as studying and testing sites for possible geothermal drilling, drilling geothermal wells, designing and building geothermal power plants, and operating and maintaining power plants. As of October 2024, approximately 8,870 people were employed in the geothermal energy industry, according to the research group Statista. Many other workers, however—from geologists and biologists to lawyers, surveyors, engineers, architects, site managers, office staff, and others—...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The Association of Energy Engineers conducted a survey of its members in 2024. Nearly 44 percent of respondents reported salaries that ranged from $100,000 to $200,000. About 8 percent earned from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, 7 percent averaged $60,000 to $75,000.
The U.S. Department of Labor does not provide comprehensive salary information for geothermal energy industry workers. It doe...
Work Environment
Work environments for geothermal energy industry workers vary by occupation. Drilling crews work outdoors when they operate heavy drilling tools to locate new reservoirs and drill production wells. Construction workers also spend a considerable amount of time outside in occasionally challenging weather conditions during the construction of power plants. Scientists and engineers work both indoor...
Outlook
The United States leads the world in installed geothermal capacity, but a large number of geothermal resources in the U.S. remain undeveloped. This suggests that job opportunities will increase as these resources are developed. Improved technological advances, such as more powerful drilling tools, have helped the geothermal energy industry grow. Employment opportunities are greatest in the West...
