Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Geothermal Technicians
Also called: Geothermal Service Technician, I and C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician), I and E Technician (Instrumentation and Electrical Technician), I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician)
US median pay
$49,230
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
18,300
205,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Troubleshooting3.6/5
- Operation and Control3.4/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.2/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.4/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Physics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Chemistry3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma66%
- Post-secondary certificate20%
- Some college12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.