Also called: Geothermal Plant Technician
Runs plants that turn steam and hot water from deep underground into electricity, mostly in California, Nevada and Utah.
From the control room you watch wells that bring up 350°F brine and turbines spinning from its steam. You walk the plant checking separators and cooling towers, and handle wells that clog with minerals. New "enhanced geothermal" projects are bringing this job to more states.
Estimated from BLS power plant operators.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 2 years after high school. High school plus on-the-job training; a 2-year power plant technology degree helps.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Power Plant Technology (2-year), Process Technology.
Growing faster than average. Geothermal is expanding thanks to new drilling technology.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Many geothermal plants are run remotely or with small crews; on-site operators still do rounds and fixes.
Classes: Physics, Earth science, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-8013.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.