Plans and oversees the drilling of deep, hot wells that tap underground heat for geothermal power plants and heating systems. BLS does not publish separate figures for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers; it counts them within mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineers (SOC 17-2151), whose median pay is $106,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2151
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Geothermal Drilling Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $106,220a year, or $51.07/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $67KTop 10% $170K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3006,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20256.2K
- Projected 20356.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 6.2K Projected 2035 6.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college0.6%
- Associate's0.6%
- Bachelor's79.1%
- Post-bacc certificate16.7%
- Master's3%
Highest education held by mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers Segment Value Some college 0.6% Associate's 0.6% Bachelor's 79.1% Post-bacc certificate 16.7% Master's 3%
Also advertised as: Geothermal Well Engineer, Geothermal Engineer, Geothermal Drilling Superintendent, Enhanced Geothermal Systems Engineer.
Pay
How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make?
Every geothermal drilling engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$106,220
Middle half earn $85,280 to $136,590
- 10th
- $67,490
- 25th
- $85,280
- 75th
- $136,590
- 90th
- $169,990
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $67,490 |
| 25th | $85,280 |
| Median | $106,220 |
| 75th | $136,590 |
| 90th | $169,990 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $106,220
- Median hourly wage
- $51.07/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $115,410
- People employed
- 6,080
Versus all US occupations
At $106,220, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn 108% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $55,240 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
The median is typical for the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $169,990 or more while the bottom 10% earn $67,490, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 80% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($158,130), but once local prices are taken into account Oklahoma leads at $149,881 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $158,130 | $142,820 | 520 |
| 2Oklahoma | $131,660 | $149,881 | 90 |
| 3Utah | $125,520 | $126,962 | 230 |
| 4Alaska | $124,630 | $121,758 | 300 |
| 5Idaho | $123,680 | $129,516 | 110 |
| 6Wyoming | $119,010 | $128,394 | 210 |
| 7Florida | $117,500 | $113,621 | 50 |
| 8Indiana | $113,640 | $121,763 | 60 |
| 9Illinois | $107,690 | $107,735 | N/A |
| 10Nevada | $107,500 | $107,523 | 470 |
Job outlook
Is Geothermal Drilling Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | +3.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 4.8% of the 6,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Geothermal Drilling Engineer
Most geothermal drilling engineers hold a bachelor's degree in petroleum, mechanical or geological engineering. Many come from oil and gas drilling, since the rigs and methods are closely related, and switch industries with experience in hard rock and high-temperature wells.
The Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office funds research and student competitions, and Geothermal Rising is the main industry association for training and networking. Well control certification such as IADC WellSharp is often required for field supervision. Experience with high-temperature tools, hard rock drilling and lost circulation control helps engineers stand out.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree79.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate16.7%
- Master's Degree3%
- Some College Courses0.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 79.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 16.7% |
| Master's Degree | 3% |
| Some College Courses | 0.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Geothermal Drilling Engineer do?
Geothermal drilling engineers design wells that reach hot rock and water deep underground. They choose the well path, casing and cement that can survive extreme heat, select bits and drilling fluids for hard volcanic or granite rock, and plan how to manage lost circulation and high temperatures.
In enhanced geothermal projects they adapt oil and gas techniques such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic stimulation to create heat reservoirs. They write drilling programs, oversee rig contractors, track costs, and work with geologists and reservoir engineers to decide where the next well should go.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design geothermal well paths and casing programs
- Select bits, fluids and cement for high-temperature rock
- Write drilling programs and cost estimates
- Supervise drilling contractors at the wellsite
- Manage lost circulation and well control risks
- Analyze drilling performance to cut costs
- Coordinate well targets with geologists and reservoir engineers
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Geothermal drilling engineers split time between offices and active rigs, often in remote areas of the western US such as Nevada, Utah and California. Rig visits can last weeks and involve long shifts. Office time covers planning, analysis and contractor management. Geothermal rigs share the noise, long shifts and safety rules of oilfield drilling, and engineers often stay in nearby towns or rig camps while wells are being drilled.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Mathematics3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Science3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Science | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.8
- Coordination3.5
- Time Management3.4
- Instructing3.1
- Operations Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Geothermal Drilling Engineer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRE) built on O*NET's Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Geothermal Drilling Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.1
- Investigative5.7
- Conventional4.6
- Enterprising3.4
- Social1.8
- Artistic1.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Geothermal Drilling Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers
$106,220median a year
Most earn $67K to $170K
+3.8%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$53,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $100K
+3.6%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
- Management
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Geothermal Drilling Engineer$106,220
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Geothermal Drilling Engineer | $106,220 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Geothermal Drilling Engineer appears on
Questions
Geothermal Drilling Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers. It counts them within mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineers, whose median pay is $106,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $85,280 and $136,590, and the top 10% earn $169,990 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Geothermal Drilling Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 79.1% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Geothermal Drilling Engineer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Geothermal Drilling Engineer do?
Geothermal drilling engineers design wells that reach hot rock and water deep underground. A typical task: design geothermal well paths and casing programs. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers are California ($158,130), Oklahoma ($131,660), Utah ($125,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Oklahoma moves to the top at $149,881.
What personality type suits a Geothermal Drilling Engineer?
O*NET scores Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.