Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for field operations engineers in the United States
Field operations engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected field operations engineer job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for field operations engineers are projected over the next decade.
Field operations engineer salaries have increased 7% for field operations engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,565 field operations engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 104,785 active field operations engineer job openings in the US.
The average field operations engineer salary is $72,375.
Are field operations engineer jobs in demand?
Field operations engineer job and salary trends over time
Field operations engineer jobs over time
Field operations engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,565 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,208 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,412 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,284 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,203 | 0.00% |
Average field operations engineer salary over time
Field operations engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $72,375 | $34.80 | --0.3% |
| 2025 | $72,580 | $34.89 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | $72,290 | $34.75 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $69,713 | $33.52 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $67,579 | $32.49 | --1.4% |
Field operations engineer jobs by state
Most common states for field operations engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 315 | 45% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 205 | 33% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 168 | 29% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,089 | 26% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 811 | 26% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,788 | 24% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,314 | 24% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 321 | 24% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 255 | 24% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 241 | 23% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 171 | 23% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 415 | 22% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 187 | 22% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 345 | 20% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,440 | 19% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,005 | 19% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,994 | 19% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,111 | 19% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 593 | 19% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,665 | 18% |
Most common cities for field operations engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville | 1 | 4% | $41,849 |
| 2 | Coconut Creek | 1 | 2% | $57,907 |
| 3 | Monroe | 1 | 2% | $62,427 |
| 4 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $74,556 |
| 5 | Dothan | 1 | 1% | $50,670 |
| 6 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $49,514 |
| 7 | Killeen | 1 | 1% | $78,181 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $61,050 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $66,356 |
| 10 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $74,642 |
| 11 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $67,176 |
| 12 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $78,763 |
| 13 | Long Beach | 1 | 0% | $76,088 |
| 14 | Mesa | 1 | 0% | $76,506 |
| 15 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $59,334 |
Field Operations Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of field operations engineer experts
Seattle University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wilkes University
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Bellingham Technical College
Duke University
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
University of South Alabama
North Carolina State University
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Indianapolis
State University of New York, Canton
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: After you proved yourself to your peers and supervisors, you can always ask your price. Otherwise, there are a lot of other companies that will meet your ask and value your abilities.
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Davide Masato: The high demand for plastics engineers facilitates maximizing starting salaries. Graduates with co-op experience enjoy a competitive edge. To grow both as engineers and team members, young professionals should actively seek professional development opportunities. Continuous learning and seeking advancement within the organization or externally are key. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, even remotely, enhances qualifications and marketability.
What Field Operations Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Davide Masato: As a graduate entering the field of plastics engineering, I recommend focusing on continuous learning, staying updated on industry trends, and seeking mentorship through participation in professional societies. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and don't hesitate to network within the industry. Developing strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail will set a solid foundation for your career.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Christopher Misorski FASM: My first thoughts on beginning in any field or with any company is “be a sponge” about what the company is doing and what they want you to work on. Do way more listening and observing than talking. Learn the processes used AND the pitfalls/challenges of those processes. It is highly valuable to spend many hours “watching production” to gather first-hand knowledge of what is going on. Ask questions and don’t be quick to criticize a production employees’ explanation of the problem, even if you are quite sure technically that it is not fully correct. Their explanation fits the issues they see with their learned knowledge over time. There are valuable insights there. Also, just because you graduated with a degree, that doesn’t mean your education is finished. Continue to learn by attending relevant conferences for your field, attending training classes, watching webinars, attending local professional society technical meetings and talking to other experts in the field at these meetings. There is a LOT of knowledge out there and many methods of learning more.
What will help Field Operations 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.
What Field Operations 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 Operations 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 Operations 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 will help Field Operations 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 Operations 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 Operations 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 will help Field Operations 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 Operations 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 Operations 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 general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Plan to get your PE license. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and become proficient with a new skill or a new area of expertise. Continue to develop both your technical and leadership skills.
What Field Operations Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Elizabeth Adams PhD, PE: Understanding how technology can make jobsites more efficient is going to continue to grow in importance, from software that manages RFIs and submittal documents to keeping digital records of project progress and milestones to utilizing fully autonomous heavy machinery to accomplish large portions of the work. Develop skills and knowledge around industry technology and be proactive about staying up to date on what your company is using, what is available, and what is coming down the line in the near future.
What will help Field Operations Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Elizabeth Adams PhD, PE: My personal recommendation for maximizing your salary potential is to play the long game. Focus on learning and becoming an expert in your field – find the area you enjoy working in and get really good at it. Maybe it’s bridge construction, maybe it’s electrical infrastructure, maybe it’s project management. Internships and co-op experiences during your college years are invaluable as they are excellent resume boosters and networking opportunities, and they can help you differentiate between areas you are more and less interested in.
Kyle Miller
Welding Technologies instructor - Pipe TradesBellingham Technical College
Precision Metal Working
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Kyle Miller: The advice I feel the most compelled to offer, based on personal experience, is to embrace the first few years in the field as a nebulous growth period. There is often a rush for graduates to 'realize their identity' in the field, at the risk of narrowing their potential in the trades. The first year or two is a great time to shake every hand and make every acquaintance possible. A lot of those interactions can help guide a trades-person along a pathway they didn't realize was possible upon their first steps into the working world.
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: A primary reason is the value placed on the quantitative nature of an engineering degree and the fact that this is primarily applied learning and skills, as opposed to the theoretical nature of some other areas of quantitative study. Being able to start working as soon as they start is very attractive to employers, as well as the broad knowledge of software, artificial intelligence, and data science that most engineers leave school with.
What will help Field Operations Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: I believe it’s the old notion of what an engineer is, and being pigeonholed. This notion, even among legacy institutions, is fading quite quickly as engineers move into all types of businesses and roles.
Jim Gordon
Faculty- Construction ManagementOklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Jim Gordon: Maximizing salary potential by proving your ability to complete tasks on time and providing innovative solutions through critical thinking.
Edmund Spencer
Associate ProfessorUniversity of South Alabama
Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering
What Field Operations 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 general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Alexey Gulyuk: In my opinion, being an engineer is to be a problem-solver. Regardless of the conditions and situations. As one of my colleagues and mentors said: 'I am an engineer, I can learn and fix anything' - this was a short comment regarding some questionable repairs offered by a car mechanic. For people who are curious, this is the perfect field to be at: you continuously learn new things about yourself and about the world around us. Being an engineer also means that you have access and able to interact with the smartest people: every day my colleagues share some new facts, and this challenges you and allows you to grow professionally. Live and learn in action. Lastly, being an engineer opens the path to make some real societal impact - in essence, most of the things that changed the world one day and are essential to us nowadays were created by great engineers like DaVinci, Rutherford, Marconi, Benz, or Wright brothers.... As of the dislikes. One can mention things like heavy workload and endless learning. Everything comes at a price, and, sometimes, engineers cannot balance work and life. Moreover, being surrounded by intelligent and straightforward people sometimes may be a challenge, and having scientific disputes can be something that drains your batteries very fast. In many instances, the bright ideas may hit the wall of lack of the resources available, while some scientists may not be that realistic with their budgeting expectations.... Lastly, setting up experiments require rigorous planning and following all the safety protocols - sometimes, this may impose some limitations on the activities planned initially. Again, live and learn and adjust according to the external conditions.... However, despite all challenges, many people will definitely find engineering rewarding and very opportunistic field to join and thrive at.
What Field Operations Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexey Gulyuk: Being an Engineer means to be educated in many fields and, what is even more important, to be able to get out of your initial field of expertise and quickly learn new things. In essence, good Engineer has no limits or can push through the limits. Being an engineer is to be a highly-skilled individual that works on impactful projects that solve real-world problems. Currently, Engineering is in high demand and the field will continue growth with further advancements of the technologies like biotech, data science, renewable and non-conventional energy. Lastly, Engineering allows us to stay up-to-date and being able to follow the trends in diverse career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Field Operations Engineer?
Dr. Alison Graettinger: Some common challenges for field based positions is the amount of travel involved or working in extreme weather conditions.
What Field Operations Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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 will help Field Operations 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.
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Indianapolis
Department of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Field Operations Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.: Research shows the job market continuing to shrink. Remote work will continue to normalize beyond the pandemic. The technology field was vast prior to the pandemic and will be even larger post pandemic. The same is true for the healthcare industry. What they have in common is communication, and communication never goes out of style. In order to succeed in any career - to keep a job - an individual must know how to write, speak, listen, and get along with others whether face-to-face or virtually.
Yilei Shi Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorState University of New York, Canton
Canino School of Engineering Technology
What technical skills for a Field Operations Engineer stand out to employers?
Yilei Shi Ph.D.: Hands-on testing experiences and computer skills, including professional software skills, caught up on eyes to employers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Field Operations Engineers?
Yilei Shi Ph.D.: Yes. The civil engineering industry is heavily affected by the pandemic. A lot of private companies have already laid off employees because of lost future contracts. The public sector didn't appear to be affected much and is actually hiring some new employees. Recent graduates find it harder to secure a job.
What's a good job out of college for Field Operations Engineers?
Yilei Shi Ph.D.: It depends. I have heard some summer interns at consulting firms were accommodated with totally remote internships in summer 2020. Current employees, including new hires, mostly work at home if work allows. For construction industry, employees will go to actual job sites every day.