Post job

Field operations technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a field operations technician. Field operations technicians usually study electrical engineering, business, or electrical engineering technology. 36% of field operations technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,074 real field operations technician resumes to see exactly what field operations technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for field operations technicians are the Texas A&M; University and the Texas A&M; University.

There are also many online field operations technician courses to help get the education required to be a field operations technician.

What education do you need to become a field operations technician?

What degree do you need to be a field operations technician?

The most common degree for field operations technicians is bachelor's degree, with 36% of field operations technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 34% and associate degree degree at 18%.
  • Bachelor's, 36%
  • Associate, 34%
  • High School Diploma, 18%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a field operations technician?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a field operations technician. 17% of field operations technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a field operations technician include business and electrical engineering technology.

Most common colleges for field operations technicians

Field operations technicians often get their degrees at Texas A&M; University, Western Washington University, and Auburn University Main Campus. Here are the most common colleges for field operations technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Field operations technician common collegePercentages
Texas A&M University8.77%
Western Washington University7.02%
Auburn University Main Campus7.02%
New Mexico State University7.02%
University of Phoenix7.02%

Best majors for field operations technicians

Best colleges for field operations technicians

The best colleges for field operations technicians are Northeastern University, Purdue University, and Stanford University.

A field operations technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for field operations technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become field operations technicians.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

2. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

3. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

4. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$35,814

Enrollment

5,925

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$9,019

Enrollment

20,323

20 best online courses for field operations technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Technical Support

coursera

Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...

2. Operate Alibaba Cloud Systems and Services

coursera

Course description: ACA System Operator Certification Preparation Course is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management and operations on Alibaba Cloud. It’s recommended for System administrators with at least one year of experience in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. ACA System Operator Certification is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. Certificate holders...

3. Basic Cellular Networks Operator Course

udemy
4.5
(2,162)

Basic Fundamentals of Cellular Network Operations...

4. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

udemy
4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

5. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

coursera

Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

6. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course

udemy
4.5
(840)

Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...

7. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling

udemy
4.3
(2,759)

Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...

8. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

udemy
4.5
(1,653)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

9. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

udemy
4
(409)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

10. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

udemy
4.7
(1,213)

Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

11. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

udemy
4.2
(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

12. Become a Pharmacy Technician

udemy
4.7
(2,374)

A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...

13. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology

udemy
4.5
(615)

All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...

14. Electrical Power Equipment

udemy
4.6
(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

15. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

16. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH

udemy
4.4
(1,233)

All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...

17. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

udemy
4.6
(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

18. 5G O-RAN (Open RAN): Architecture, Procedures And Use Cases

udemy
4.4
(790)

Path to O-RAN, RAN Functional Splits, Split 7.2x for O-RAN, O-RAN Virtualization, Non & Near RT RIC, Slicing in O-RAN...

19. Computer Network Cabling: Ethernet Wiring Infrastructure

udemy
4.8
(306)

The Physical Side of Computer Networking; Wire Ethernet Cables from Scratch and Master the Fundamentals of RJ-45 Ports...

20. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

udemy
4.5
(286)

A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

Top 10 most affordable universities for field operations technicians

The most affordable schools for field operations technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - long beach, and california state polytechnic university, pomona.

If the best universities for field operations technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for field operations technicians.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

4. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

5. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,120

Cost of attendance

13,997

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Cost of attendance

17,885

8. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Durant, OK • Private

In-state tuition

$6,750

Cost of attendance

15,839

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for field operations technicians

The hardest universities for field operations technicians to get into are Northeastern University, Purdue University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for field operations technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for field operations technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

7. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,295

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for field operations technicians

The easiest schools for field operations technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - dubois.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a field operations technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for field operations technicians.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

4. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

5. Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,062

6. Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,019

7. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

8. Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,025

9. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

10. Pennsylvania State University - Hazleton

Hazleton, PA • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,046

Average field operations technician salary by education level

According to our data, field operations technicians with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $41,193 annually. Field operations technicians with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $40,366.
Field operations technician education levelField operations technician salary
Master's Degree$41,193
High School Diploma or Less$38,458
Bachelor's Degree$39,858
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,366

Field operations technician education FAQs

Search for field operations technician jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs