Geothermal Technicians
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 53%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Geothermal Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 53% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 176,300 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $49,230 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- 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).
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water | 13% | 3% to 30% | |
| Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed | 8% | 70% to 95% | |
| Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU) | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping | 4% | 3% to 30% | |
| Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures | 4% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills geothermal technicians use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much geothermal technicians rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.
- Go-to problem solver6/10
- Trust and reliability7/10
- Know-how about the organisation6/10
- Network and relationships3/10
- Mentoring and developing others5/10
- Culture and morale4/10
- Initiative beyond the role5/10
- Calm in a crisis5/10
- Bridge between teams4/10
- Reputation and influence2/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,800
- Millwrights50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,700
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,890
- Biofuels Production Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $126,060
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Geothermal Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of geothermal technicians?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of geothermal technicians today and 53% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9099.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Geothermal Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/geothermal-technicians/