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Job outlook for field engineers in the United States
Field engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected field engineer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 9,800 new jobs for field engineers are projected over the next decade.
Field engineer salaries have increased 7% for field engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 59,428 field engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 86,015 active field engineer job openings in the US.
The average field engineer salary is $71,874.
Are field engineer jobs in demand?
Field Engineer job and salary trends over time
Field Engineer jobs over time
Field Engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59,428 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 60,833 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 61,162 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 61,240 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 60,261 | 0.02% |
Average field engineer salary over time
Field Engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,874 | $34.55 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $70,234 | $33.77 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $68,887 | $33.12 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $67,761 | $32.58 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $67,155 | $32.29 | +1.3% |
Field Engineer jobs by state
Most common states for field engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 348 | 50% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,158 | 31% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 205 | 27% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,192 | 26% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,038 | 25% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 332 | 25% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,348 | 24% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 233 | 24% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,375 | 23% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,275 | 23% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 706 | 23% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 142 | 23% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,625 | 22% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 125 | 22% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 7,981 | 20% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,348 | 19% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 593 | 19% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 203 | 19% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 633 | 18% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 385 | 18% |
Most common cities for field engineers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenexa | 9 | 17% | $63,548 |
| 2 | Mission Viejo | 6 | 6% | $83,038 |
| 3 | Costa Mesa | 6 | 5% | $83,345 |
| 4 | Des Moines | 8 | 4% | $63,524 |
| 5 | Huntsville | 7 | 4% | $64,868 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 13 | 3% | $65,096 |
| 7 | Irvine | 9 | 3% | $83,286 |
| 8 | Denver | 11 | 2% | $62,846 |
| 9 | Colorado Springs | 7 | 2% | $62,835 |
| 10 | Tampa | 7 | 2% | $66,933 |
| 11 | Urban Honolulu | 7 | 2% | $62,921 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 10 | 1% | $63,171 |
| 13 | Washington | 10 | 1% | $84,196 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 9 | 1% | $61,232 |
| 15 | Detroit | 8 | 1% | $69,702 |
| 16 | Sacramento | 7 | 1% | $95,342 |
| 17 | San Francisco | 7 | 1% | $96,562 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 10 | 0% | $84,785 |
| 19 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $71,535 |
| 20 | San Diego | 7 | 0% | $81,787 |
Field Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of field engineer experts
San Jose State University
Seattle University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Minnesota - Duluth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Duke University
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
University of South Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Utah
University of Delaware
Weber State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Manhattan College
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
Professor Winncy Du
Professor, PhD, PE, ASME FellowSan Jose State University
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Professor Winncy Du: Keep Engineering Ethics in mind -- protect the public and the engineers themselves. Make sure that they know and understand the core concepts of their field. No matter what they design, they need to follow the industrial standards or grades, and safety measurements closely. Check, check, and double check, especially when they design biomedical devices, mobile robots, autonomous vehicles or drones, and automated material handling systems. I saw increasing engineers' designs or products challenged by the prospect of being deposed in the courtroom.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Enick: Petroleum engineers can have a wide variety of jobs; for example, Some of them become part of the teams that drill the wells deep into the earth to access layers of porous rock that contain natural gas or oil. Some PetE's arrive on site when the well is being drilled with tools that can be inserted into the well to determine if the well has penetrated porous rock layers containing natural gas or oil. Some PetE's will remain at a location for a long time once the wells in the area have been completed. After oil well production slows down and becomes uneconomic, it may make sense to inject a fluid into some wells to help push the oil into neighboring wells. In the US there are two favorite injected fluids. If the oil is very thick (high viscosity), then steam can be injected; as the steam condenses it heats the oil and makes it flow more easily. If the oil is very thin (low viscosity), then one can inject high pressure CO2 into the well. CO2 is a great solvent for oil and for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). PetE's design the injection strategies for these 'EOR' processes. In the past few decades there has been a surge in the production of natural gas and/or oil from 'unconventional' rock such as shale. PetE's are involved in every step of these processes.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Davis: Engineers engage in various daily activities that are intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Every task is a step toward a tangible accomplishment, from innovating, designing, testing, and implementing new technologies to troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality. They may spend time in meetings discussing project progress, collaborating with colleagues, and planning future steps, all of which contribute to the sense of achievement. Engineers often use software tools to create designs, analyze data, and simulate systems, further enhancing their productivity and satisfaction. Depending on the field, they might spend time in labs conducting experiments, on-site overseeing construction or manufacturing processes, or in offices working on plans and reports, all of which are opportunities to see their work come to fruition. Entry-level Engineers: A bachelor's degree in engineering trains engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Entry-level engineers might start with tasks like data collection and analysis or assisting senior engineers with projects. Entry-level engineers might also spend time shadowing more experienced colleagues, attending training sessions, and gradually taking on more responsibility and management as they gain experience.
What will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: An underappreciated skill that I think will become more sought-after is the ability to validate computer-made decisions and their shortcomings. With the growing prominence of AI use in design, problem solving, and decision making, the engineering field will need experts to error-check decisions made using these technologies. Sometimes there are unexplored gaps that these technologies overlook, and sometimes there are biases or inappropriate assumptions baked into AI-based results. Humans are inherently imaginative and creative. We excel at picking up on things that computer algorithms may miss. Talented experts that recognize and address these issues will remain invaluable in the workforce. Another indispensable skill that is often overlooked in engineering is effective interpersonal communication. Whether in a teamwork context, a leadership role, or a client interaction, competent communication is crucial. This can take the form of conversation, live presentations, written correspondence, and beyond. People that hone their communication skills are often recognized, and tend to be the individuals that are promoted to more senior roles.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: To maximize salary potential, I recommend growing your professional network and being flexible within your career. Attending professional gatherings and rubbing shoulders goes a very long way. It’s amazing how you can casually bump into some well-respected team leader that’s trying to fill an opening or glean information about a new project that needs fresh talent. Network with people in diverse fields and roles. You never know who knows who. Making a positive impression and having someone recognize your name down the line can go a very long way!
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mansooreh Mollaghasemi Ph.D.: Concurrent with building technical skills, they must build soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are often the differentiators between good and great engineers.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Megumi Usui: Many individuals aspire to earn a substantial salary right from the beginning of their careers. However, this is not typically how the professional world operates. it is essential to demonstrate to your employer that you are a skilled, valuable, and irreplaceable asset. This process takes time and dedication. Avoid pressuring your employer for immediate rewards based solely on self-perception. While family may view you as exceptional, in the professional realm, you must distinguish yourself through your actions. Prove your worth by consistently arriving on time, working diligently, completing tasks swiftly and accurately, and exceeding expectations. Take a proactive approach to your projects and strive to impress your employer in every conceivable way. Continuously acquiring new skills that are valuable to the company is crucial. Additionally, building a strong network within your field by making professional connections and fostering friendships can significantly enhance your career prospects. By embodying these qualities, you can effectively demonstrate your value and potentially achieve the financial and professional rewards you seek.
What will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Megumi Usui: Even after obtaining a degree, it is crucial to recognize that continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of professional development in the workplace. One must cultivate an open-minded attitude and demonstrate a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills at any time and in any context. Effective communication with colleagues and clients is essential for successful collaboration and project execution. It is important to understand that the professional environment is significantly different from the academic setting. In a company, the focus is delivering work that meets the expectations and standards set by the employer and satisfies the needs of clients, rather than merely fulfilling personal criteria. Furthermore, it is imperative to produce high-quality work consistently. Mediocre performance is unacceptable, and organizations will not hesitate to seek replacements if the work delivered does not meet their standards. Ensuring that your work is thorough, precise, and aligns with the company's objectives is critical for maintaining the position and advancing their career.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Michael Denn: 1. Become the expert in whatever you do. 2. Understand how your work fits into the bigger picture and keep that in mind when you do your work. 3. Keep learning! Your engineering degree is not the end of your education! 4. Take stretch assignments and opportunities whenever you can.
What will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: Engineering encompasses so many areas of modern life that it’s impossible to provide a comprehensive answer here. The training that engineers receive, both the technical and the applied nature, make these individuals quite attractive to all types of industries. Perhaps the most surprising to many people are the significant number of engineers employed in financial services.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Prof. Harold Evensen: Engineering Physics graduates have had a wide range of experiences as working engineers. Engineers use technology to solve problems for society, and they play a lot of roles in this process. Their day-to-day job can involve a mix of technical skills and knowledge, interpersonal skills, and communication. Tasks include such things as designing electrical and/or mechanical systems; conducting tests and experiments to improve products or manufacturing processes; working with clients and customers to identify their needs and determine the best way to meet them; writing reports, summaries, and project proposals; and managing cross-disciplinary teams.
Edmund Spencer
Associate ProfessorUniversity of South Alabama
Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Edmund Spencer: Look for jobs that have the highest technical content, and try to develop entrepreneurial skills early.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Arie Nakhmani: Electrical Engineering has always (from its inception) been a good profession to enter, but now it is better than ever. Now everything is becoming Electrical Engineering, and the world cannot survive without it even for a few days. Electrical Engineering is the most necessary profession for the survival of modern society.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Dr. Alison Graettinger: Field tech positions are common at entry level for geologists. The work can involve multiple field days per week, and report writing. Depending on the employer specialty field techs can be focused on water or soil sampling. This can involve digging, hiking short distances, and always some level of commute to field sites within the areas covered by the company. Field techs frequently work in pairs or small teams. There is typically a period of training after being hired before being sent out in the field focusing on safety and the specific analyses or sampling expected for the project.
What Field Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alison Graettinger: Some common challenges for field based positions is the amount of travel involved or working in extreme weather conditions.
What will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alison Graettinger: The demand for geology field engineers/techs is pretty constant. This is also a great way to get your foot in the door to a company and learn about how the company is structured and paths for advancement. Many folks due use this as a starting position, and this helps keep demand for new hires as turnover opens up entry level positions.
Florian Solzbacher
Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer EngineeringUniversity of Utah
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Field Engineers?
Florian Solzbacher: First of all, the fundamentals (mostly math, physics, materials/chemistry) and basic EE/CE concepts need to be solid. As stated above: the ability to solve real-world development and system integration problems that require "global optimization" of technical performance as opposed to local optimization of specific sub-systems or components is really critical.
Beyond that, given the accelerating breadth of specializations and sub-areas, it is important that students have sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge in the specific area they are targeting. It is important that schools are offering tracks and guidance as to what skills are needed to allow students to successfully master engineering tasks across a range of sub-areas. We have to recognize that in the context of a 4-year program, it is no longer possible to train a student in all areas of ECE - a combined BS/MS degree or MS/Ph.D. degree obviously provides more runway to add breadth.
Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director, Clinical and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Delaware
Department of Biomedical Engineering
What skills will help Field Engineers earn the most?
Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.: About 2/3rd of our students seek and obtain employment in business and industry (while 1/3rd pursue higher education) immediately after graduation. Biomedical engineering students at the University of Delaware get hired for the most common positions: associate scientists, quality engineers, test engineers, field engineers, process engineers, and clinical specialists. Salaries tend to vary by location, but anecdotally, compensation in the pharmaceutical and medical device spaces tends to be the highest. Biomedical engineering graduates employed in those spaces are skilled in quantitative modeling of biological processes, computer-aided design, electrical design, biomechanics, biomaterials, and cellular engineering. Exposure to manufacturing and regulatory processes, design of experiments, testing standards and protocols, quality management systems, as well as FMECA (failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis), are a huge plus for biomedical engineers. Finally, regardless of the engineering field, programming and data analysis skills will be extremely important.
What will help Field Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
What's a good job out of college for Field Engineers?
Stuart Bernstein Ph.D.: Every company seems to have a different title for their new CM hires. Assistant CM, Field Engineer, Office Engineer, Assistant Engineer. There is a long standing discussion about the best place for a new graduate to start.
One camp believes they should start in the field where they will be exposed to many of the different components of and methods used in the construction project process. By seeing it first hand, they become more familiar them.
The other camp believes they should start in the office where they will assist their senior colleagues in developing estimates and schedules, which will teach them about the components and processes and how to better interpret construction documents. Wherever they start, and whatever they are called, they need to be alert, taking in everything around them, and asking good questions. If they are assigned to the field, they should get into the office occasionally to see what they do, and vice versa. And asking questions about anything they don't fully understand, after first trying to figure it out on their own.
What general advice would you give to a Field Engineer?
Dr. John Leylegian Ph.D.: The most important skills revolve around computer literacy. Know how to code. Know how to use industry standard software packages... and don't think that if you don't know a particular language or software that it will automatically exclude you from a new position. Engineers should love to learn how to do new things, and switching from one software to another is not a difficult thing. There is a learning curve, but knowing how to interpret results (and to detect garbage in - garbage out situations) is much more important. And find how to incorporate AI into your work. If used smartly and ethically, AI can be a great labor-saving tool. However, know that AI isn't foolproof, and again, be able to properly interpret results from an AI engine to avoid costly mistakes.