Geothermal Technicians in Washington
Considering working as a Geothermal Technicians in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. All installation, maintenance, and repair workers not listed separately.
What do Geothermal Technicians Make in Washington?
For geothermal technicians working in Washington, wages run about $59,610 per year (or about $28.66/hour).Pay can range from $43,460 at the 10th percentile to $90,250 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| 25th percentile | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Median (50th) | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| 75th percentile | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| 90th percentile | $90,250 | $43.39 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington compared to the national average — is 0.90.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, geothermal technicians earn a median of $64,661 per year ($31.09/hour), lower than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 39,927 geothermal technicians nationwide. In Washington alone, about 3,810 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,810 geothermal technicians.
Top Washington Metros for Geothermal Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most geothermal technicians in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,470 | $57,060 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 1,340 | $75,750 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 220 | $46,430 |
| Yakima, WA | 110 | $53,990 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 100 | $49,360 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 70 | $57,870 |
| Bellingham, WA | 60 | $48,970 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 60 | $54,460 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 30 | $51,560 |
Top States for Geothermal Technicians Employment
These states have the highest employment of geothermal technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 27,450 |
| Florida | 16,610 |
| Texas | 15,690 |
| Georgia | 9,140 |
| Michigan | 7,160 |
| Illinois | 7,110 |
| Louisiana | 6,960 |
| Arizona | 5,840 |
| New Jersey | 5,220 |
| Virginia | 5,210 |
| Colorado | 4,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,900 |
| North Carolina | 4,880 |
| Tennessee | 4,800 |
| Maryland | 4,550 |
| Ohio | 4,410 |
| Nevada | 4,110 |
| New York | 3,920 |
| Washington | 3,810 |
| Oregon | 3,030 |
Highest-Paying States for Geothermal Technicians
Where geothermal technicians earn the most: geothermal technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 |
| Mississippi | $61,560 |
| Washington | $59,610 |
| Minnesota | $58,800 |
| Maine | $58,580 |
| Kentucky | $57,430 |
| Rhode Island | $57,200 |
| Connecticut | $56,460 |
| Wisconsin | $54,930 |
Skills
The most important geothermal technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for geothermal technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Precision Systems Maintenance
- Electronics Maintenance & Repair
- Mechanics & Repairers
- Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like geothermal technicians include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Also Known As
Corrosion Technician, Design Technician, Distribution Field Technician, Field Distribution Technician, Geothermal Field Technician, Geothermal HVAC Technician (Geothermal Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Technician), Geothermal Installer, Geothermal Service Technician, Geothermal System Installer, Geothermal Technician, Ground Source Heat Pump Technician (GSHP Technician), I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician), I and C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician), I and E Technician (Instrumentation and Electrical Technician), Operations Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 49-9099.01