Geothermal Engineer Average Salary in Chicago 2024
How much money does a person working as Geothermal Engineer make in Chicago?
LOW
55,000
USD AVERAGE
120,000
USD HIGH
190,000
USD
A person working as Geothermal Engineer in Chicago typically earns around 120,000 USD. Salaries range from 55,000 USD (lowest) to 190,000 USD (highest).
Salary Variance
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Geothermal Engineer salaries in Chicago vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Geothermal Engineer Pay Scale and Salaries in Chicago
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
113,000 USD or more
99,400 to 113,000 USD
68,400 USD or less
68,400 to 99,400 USD
 55,000 USD |
114,000 USD |
190,000 USD |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries for the position Geothermal Engineer in Chicago range from 55,000 USD (starting salary) to 190,000 USD (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.
Median Salary
With a median salary of 114,000 USD, half of the professionals who work as Geothermal Engineer in Chicago earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Geothermal Engineer in Chicago earn less than 92,100 USD, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 132,000 USD while 25% earn more.
Pay Scale Structure
To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Geothermal Engineer in Chicago compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 68,400 USD to 99,400 USD. About 20% of salaries are below the 68,400 USD mark, while 10% fall within the range of 99,400 USD to 113,000 USD. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 113,000 USD.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience / Geothermal Engineer / Chicago
How do experience and age affect pay?
| 0 - 2 Years | 62,400 USD | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 83,400 USD |
| 5 - 10 Years | +48% | 123,000 USD |
| 10 - 15 Years | +22% | 150,000 USD |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 164,000 USD |
| 20+ Years | +8% | 177,000 USD |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Geothermal Engineer and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 62,400 USD.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 83,400 USD, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 123,000 USD, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 150,000 USD, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 164,000 USD, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 177,000 USD, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Salary Comparison By Education / Geothermal Engineer / Chicago
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary variance between different education levels of professionals working as Geothermal Engineer.
| High School | 56,400 USD | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +24% | 69,900 USD |
| Bachelor's Degree | +39% | 96,900 USD |
| Master's Degree | +63% | 158,000 USD |
| PhD | +20% | 189,000 USD |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down salaries by education level for the position Geothermal Engineer in order to make a comparison.
Level 1: High School
Employees at this education level have an average salary of 56,400 USD.
Level 2: Certificate or Diploma
At this level, the average salary becomes 69,900 USD, 24% more than the previous level.
Level 3: Bachelor's Degree
At this level, the average salary becomes 96,900 USD, 39% more than the previous level.
Level 4: Master's Degree
At this level, the average salary becomes 158,000 USD, 63% more than the previous level.
Level 5: PhD
At this level, the average salary becomes 189,000 USD, 20% more than the previous level.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in United States costs anywhere from 39,600 USD to 119,000 USD and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch to a higher-paying job. The numbers seem to support the theory. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Geothermal Engineer / Chicago
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Geothermal Engineer in United States, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 6%.
| Male | 98,500 USD | |
| Female | -6% | 93,000 USD |
Salary Comparison By Gender in United States for all Careers
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage / Geothermal Engineer / Chicago
How much are annual salary increments in Chicago for individuals working as Geothermal Engineer? How often do employees get salary raises?
Individuals working as Geothermal Engineer in United States are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately % every months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 16 months.
United States / All Professions
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Bonus and Incentive Rates / Geothermal Engineer / United States
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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100% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while % said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from % to % of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | % | |
| No Bonus | 100% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Average Hourly Wage / Geothermal Engineer / Chicago
57 USD per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) for individuals working as Geothermal Engineer in Chicago is 57 USD.This is the rate they get paid for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Geothermal Engineer in Chicago is 26 USD. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Oil / Gas / Energy / Mining |  -100% | |
| Assistant Yard Manager | 103,000 USD | -14% |
| Associate Analyst | 113,000 USD | -6% |
| Associate Landman | 47,600 USD | -60% |
| Auxiliary Equipment Operator | 43,300 USD | -64% |
| Biomass Plant Technician | 52,500 USD | -56% |
| Biomass Power Plant Manager | 152,000 USD |  +27% |
| Carbon Capture and Storage Specialist | 111,000 USD | -7% |
| Chemical Plant Operator | 84,100 USD | -30% |
| Chief Contract Compliance Engineer | 105,000 USD | -12% |
| Chief Renewable Energy Officer | 183,000 USD | +53% |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | 184,000 USD | +54% |
| Completions Engineer | 102,000 USD | -15% |
| Cost Controller | 77,900 USD | -35% |
| Cost Engineer | 106,000 USD | -11% |
| Crude Oil Marketing Representative | 115,000 USD | -4% |
| Deep-sea Mining Engineer | 119,000 USD | -0% |
| Dispatcher | 43,300 USD | -64% |
| Distribution Manager | 146,000 USD | +22% |
| Dragline Operator | 47,800 USD | -60% |
| Driller Offsider | 37,400 USD | -69% |
| Dump Truck Driver | 40,400 USD | -66% |
| Electric and Gas Operations Manager | 238,000 USD | +99% |
| Energy Advisor | 153,000 USD | +28% |
| Energy Analyst | 143,000 USD | +20% |
| Energy Auditor | 128,000 USD | +7% |
| Energy Dispatch Director | 181,000 USD | +51% |
| Energy Efficiency Auditor | 107,000 USD | -11% |
| Energy Efficiency Consultant | 126,000 USD | +5% |
| Energy Modeler | 102,000 USD | -15% |
| Energy Policy Analyst | 106,000 USD | -11% |
| Energy Storage Engineer | 111,000 USD | -7% |
| Energy Technical Assistant | 63,300 USD | -47% |
| Energy Technical Manager | 131,000 USD | +10% |
| Energy Technical Support Manager | 127,000 USD | +6% |
| Energy Technical Trainer | 91,000 USD | -24% |
| Engineering Geologist | 189,000 USD | +58% |
| Exploration Manager | 185,000 USD | +55% |
| Field Safety Auditor | 113,000 USD | -6% |
| Fluids Engineer | 102,000 USD | -15% |
| Fuel Cell Engineer | 105,000 USD | -12% |
| Fuel Cell Technician | 50,600 USD | -58% |
| Fuels Handler | 49,900 USD | -58% |
| Gas Compressor Operator | 46,800 USD | -61% |
| Gas Distribution Plant Operator | 87,500 USD | -27% |
| Gas Supply Manager | 164,000 USD | +37% |
| Geologist | 178,000 USD | +49% |
| Geophysicist | 192,000 USD | +61% |
| Geothermal Engineer | 120,000 USD | +0% |
| Geothermal Production Manager | 170,000 USD | +42% |
| Geothermal Technician | 70,100 USD | -41% |
| HSE Engineer | 101,000 USD | -16% |
| HSE Officer | 61,800 USD | -48% |
| HSE Supervisor | 76,500 USD | -36% |
| HSEQ Administrator | 73,200 USD | -39% |
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engineer | 114,000 USD | -5% |
| Inspector | 92,000 USD | -23% |
| Instructor | 85,800 USD | -28% |
| Instrument Designer | 79,900 USD | -33% |
| Lead Technical Field Advisor | 132,000 USD | +10% |
| Lithium Ion Battery Engineer | 96,900 USD | -19% |
| Logistics and Tool Coordinator | 89,200 USD | -25% |
| Maintenance Engineer | 102,000 USD | -15% |
| Maintenance Superintendent | 94,400 USD | -21% |
| Material Controller | 69,000 USD | -42% |
| Methane Detection and Mitigation Specialist | 96,600 USD | -19% |
| Mine Engineer | 96,500 USD | -19% |
| Mine Surveyor | 111,000 USD | -7% |
| Mining Project Administrator | 89,900 USD | -25% |
| Mining Project Assistant | 73,800 USD | -38% |
| Mining Project Controls Consultant | 118,000 USD | -1% |
| Mining Project Coordinator | 89,900 USD | -25% |
| Mining Project Engineer | 103,000 USD | -14% |
| Mining Project Manager | 126,000 USD | +5% |
| Mining Site Manager | 143,000 USD | +20% |
| Mining Team Leader | 114,000 USD | -5% |
| Natural Gas Engineer | 109,000 USD | -9% |
| NDT Technician | 65,600 USD | -45% |
| Net Zero Energy Consultant | 138,000 USD | +15% |
| Oil Service Unit Operator | 56,500 USD | -53% |
| Oil Trader | 129,000 USD | +8% |
| Oilwell Pumper | 37,900 USD | -68% |
| Petroleum Engineer | 115,000 USD | -4% |
| Petroleum Geologist | 183,000 USD | +53% |
| Petroleum Pump System Operator | 57,200 USD | -52% |
| Petroleum Technician | 61,400 USD | -49% |
| Photovoltaic Engineer | 114,000 USD | -5% |
| Pipeline Technician | 39,500 USD | -67% |
| Power Coordinator | 61,300 USD | -49% |
| Power Plant Operations Manager | 204,000 USD | +71% |
| Power Plant Operator | 88,400 USD | -26% |
| Radio Operator | 45,900 USD | -62% |
| Reliability Engineer | 106,000 USD | -11% |
| Renewable Energy Consultant | 150,000 USD | +25% |
| Renewable Energy Engineer | 114,000 USD | -5% |
| Renewable Energy Policy Analyst | 119,000 USD | -0% |
| Reservoir Engineer | 99,200 USD | -17% |
| Risk Analyst | 122,000 USD | +2% |
| Roughneck | 106,000 USD | -11% |
| Scaffolder | 67,300 USD | -44% |
| Shutdown Engineer | 85,800 USD | -28% |
| Smart Grid Analyst | 108,000 USD | -10% |
| Smart Grid Engineer | 111,000 USD | -7% |
| Solar Energy Installation Manager | 156,000 USD | +30% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineer | 111,000 USD | -7% |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | 70,700 USD | -41% |
| Solar Thermal Technician | 61,300 USD | -49% |
| Supply Operations Manager | 167,000 USD | +40% |
| Sustainability Analyst | 133,000 USD | +11% |
| Sustainability Architect | 137,000 USD | +15% |
| Sustainability Specialist | 165,000 USD | +38% |
| Sustainable Energy Consultant | 137,000 USD | +15% |
| System Development Advisor | 121,000 USD | +1% |
| Tanker Truck Driver | 42,400 USD | -65% |
| Unconventional Oil and Gas Engineer | 112,000 USD | -6% |
| Utility Operator | 57,800 USD | -52% |
| Waste-to-Energy Specialist | 135,000 USD | +13% |
| Wind Energy Project Manager | 140,000 USD | +17% |
| Wind Farm Technician | 73,100 USD | -39% |
| Wind Turbine Technician | 85,800 USD | -28% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Chicago | 120,000 USD |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in United States is 5% on average across all career fields.
| Private Sector | 92,800 USD | |
| Public Sector | +5% | 97,500 USD |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for the job title Geothermal Engineer in Chicago?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 114,000 USD and 132,000 USD. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary for a careers like Geothermal Engineer in Chicago ranges from 55,000 USD to 92,100 USD. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
