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The differences between field scientists and specialist field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a field scientist, becoming a specialist field engineer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a field scientist has an average salary of $76,601, which is higher than the $56,430 average annual salary of a specialist field engineer.
The top three skills for a field scientist include field testing, data collection and geotechnical. The most important skills for a specialist field engineer are oil gas, technical support, and customer support.
| Field Scientist | Specialist Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,601 | $56,430 |
| Hourly rate | $36.83 | $27.13 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 88,454 | 85,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
The duties of a field scientist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In general, their responsibilities typically include conducting studies and scientific research, visiting various sites to observe and gather samples, performing laboratory analyses and experiments, maintaining records of all operations, and coming up with conclusions from the research findings. When it comes to employment opportunities, a field scientist may work for learning institutions, government agencies, and private companies, where they usually work together with other scientists and experts.
A specialist field engineer works in construction areas or factories. They conduct on-site research, diagnose machinery problems, and make repairs. They also install new systems as necessary. They prepare purchase agreements, confidentiality agreements, and reports.
Field scientists and specialist field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Scientist | Specialist Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,601 | $56,430 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $111,000 | Between $40,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Syngenta | - |
| Best paying industry | Internet | - |
There are a few differences between a field scientist and a specialist field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field Scientist | Specialist Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between field scientists' and specialist field engineers' demographics:
| Field Scientist | Specialist Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 17.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 5% |