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The differences between field installation technicians and field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a field installation technician and a field engineer. Additionally, a field engineer has an average salary of $71,874, which is higher than the $40,685 average annual salary of a field installation technician.
The top three skills for a field installation technician include customer service, customer satisfaction and ladders. The most important skills for a field engineer are customer service, customer satisfaction, and project management.
| Field Installation Technician | Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,685 | $71,874 |
| Hourly rate | $19.56 | $34.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 92,922 | 86,015 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A field installation technician specializes in installing and maintaining equipment and machinery in various areas. Their responsibilities typically include communicating with clients to identify their needs and preferences, understanding blueprints and schematics, diagnosing and troubleshooting issues, maintaining records, and performing repairs when necessary. They may also provide operational advice to clients, perform maintenance checks, and produce progress reports for managers. Moreover, a field installation technician provides technical support, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
Field installation technicians and field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Installation Technician | Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $40,685 | $71,874 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $53,000 | Between $51,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a field installation technician and a field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field Installation Technician | Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between field installation technicians' and field engineers' demographics:
| Field Installation Technician | Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1% | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |