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Geothermal Energy Industry Workers


Overview

Geothermal Energy Industry Workers

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. Approximately 8,500 people are directly employed in the geothermal industry, according to the 2019 U.S. Energy Employment Report from the National Association of State Energy Officials. Many other workers, however—from geologists and biologists to lawyers, ...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$50,000

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Some Postsecondary Training
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Experience

Internship, volunteer, or part-time positions


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Skills

Building/Trades
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Personality Traits

Problem-Solving
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Earnings

The Association of Energy Engineers conducted a survey of its members in 2017. It found that they earned an average salary of $105,661. A small percent reported earnings of $200,000 to $300,000 or more. About 68 percent of respondents earned $75,001 to $150,000, and approximately 21 percent of respondents earned $50,000 to $75,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor does not provide comprehens...

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...