What does a field service technician do?
Field service technicians are skilled professionals who manage the technical needs of their clients outside the company's physical office space. They are usually on the field to visit their clients and check up on clients' equipment. Field service technicians are dispatched to provide technical support. They oversee installations, repairs, or maintenance activities. They ensure that all the work needed is done well. They also conduct diagnostic activities and troubleshooting. Field service technicians also supervise any updating or changes needed to be done in their clients' offices. They are expected to have good analytical skills, communication skills, and highly technical skills.
Field service technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real field service technician resumes:
- Manage onsite supporting contractors to achieve customers end result to satisfaction.
- Lead initiatives to decrease manufacturing downtime and increase QA process inspection.
- Manage a team of 12 field engineers and 130 MRI systems in NYC.
- Collaborate to achieve a Citrix solution for the IADC shop floor and implement the current server farm.
- Manage and administer network security, LAN, WLAN, desktops, servers, applications, and databases.
- Manage and service access control technology to include Honeywell's StarII and TEMA, and PCSC MicroLPM and IQ series controllers.
- Provide customer support and post-manufacturing service for PLC operate hybrid locomotives.
- Work with engineering and maintenance personnel at customer sites to ensure electrical and HVAC systems meet required system specifications.
- Document and update all DNS modifications.
- Maintain and troubleshoot Voip phone systems.
- Configure static IP's for commercial equipment.
- Insulate and hang copper tubing, ac wire.
- Provision and trouble resolution of DNS and VOIP.
- Instruct builder how to install windows and doors.
- Install network VoIP solutions in remote area environments.
Field service technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Field Service Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Preventative Maintenance, and Customer Satisfaction. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Organizational skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Field Service Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 19%
Installed Residential/Commercial Homes/Business-Installed phone/cable/internet-Troubleshooting & provided excellent customer service
- Preventative Maintenance, 8%
Trained operators and maintenance personnel on proper operating procedures along with corrective and preventative maintenance of CNC machinery and related equipment.
- Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Maintained an open line of communication with the assigned Service Delivery Coordinator to ensure customer satisfaction and meet Service Level Agreement.
- Technical Support, 5%
Facilitated escalation meetings with technical support department resulting in a 100% success rating resolving technical issues associated with process controls.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Analyzed defective or improperly functioning electronics components, using hand tools and test equipment.
- Test Equipment, 3%
Assisted manufacturing by utilizing several types of test equipment such as Oscilloscopes, Multi-Meters and Frequency Generators to find design/quality issues.
Common skills that a field service technician uses to do their job include "customer service," "preventative maintenance," and "customer satisfaction." You can find details on the most important field service technician responsibilities below.
Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a field service technician to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must perform many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, with a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination." Field service technicians often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed every aspect of fork lift repair, specializing in electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform field service technician duties is organizational skills. Field service technicians responsibilities require that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must maintain accurate service records and parts inventories." Field service technicians also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, organizational level maintenance and battle damage repair of the m-atv. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of field service technicians is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday field service technician duties, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be able to lift and move heavy equipment, tools, and parts without risking injury." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "use various hand tools to physically install new switches in racks and in box setups. "
Troubleshooting skills. For certain field service technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of a field service technician rely on this skill, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with diagnostic equipment to find the source of malfunctions." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what field service technicians do: "performed fda required factory modifications, troubleshooting, repairs and tests to defibrillators. "
Mechanical skills. Another crucial skill for a field service technician to carry out their responsibilities is "mechanical skills." A big part of what field service technicians relies on this skill, since "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." How this skill relates to field service technician duties can be seen in an example from a field service technician resume snippet: "provided mechanical and technical customer support for universal automated electronic assembly equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most field service technicians are:
- Equipment Depot
2,494 field service technicians jobs
- Applied Materials637 field service technicians jobs
- Spectrum360 field service technicians jobs
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Compare different field service technicians
Field service technician vs. Senior field service engineer
Senior Field Service Engineers are responsible for the installation, repair, and maintenance of equipment. Their duties include installing equipment that complies with technical specifications, coordinating preventative maintenance, calibrating tools, test equipment, manage the contract tendering process, and conduct field modifications. They also assist in the ordering of repair parts as well as organizing service records and customer logs. Senior Filed Service Engineers works to ensure that work deliverable adheres to all regulatory requirements and health and safety protocols.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a field service technician are more likely to require skills like "preventative maintenance," "hand tools," "work ethic," and "ladders." On the other hand, a job as a senior field service engineer requires skills like "preventive maintenance," "corrective action," "windows," and "project management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Senior field service engineers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $91,386. Comparatively, field service technicians tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $74,883.The education levels that senior field service engineers earn slightly differ from field service technicians. In particular, senior field service engineers are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a field service technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field service technician vs. System technician
A system technician is an individual responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members. They should carry out tests on the system so that they can generate error reports to identify and fix any computer system problems. System technicians also can write and maintain computer programs and work with computers and electronics, including circuit boards, computer hardware and software, and computer processors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real field service technician resumes. While field service technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer satisfaction," "customer sites," "work ethic," and "customer locations," system technicians use skills like "security systems," "fiber optic," "corrective action," and "communications systems."
On average, system technicians earn a lower salary than field service technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, system technicians earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $58,665. Whereas field service technicians have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $74,883.system technicians earn similar levels of education than field service technicians in general. They're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field service technician vs. Technician
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a field service technician is likely to be skilled in "customer satisfaction," "technical support," "customer sites," and "work ethic," while a typical technician is skilled in "patient care," "diagnosis," "safety procedures," and "cpr."
Technicians earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $46,660. Comparatively, field service technicians have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $74,883.technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to field service technicians. Specifically, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field service technician vs. Computer technician
Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Types of field service technician
Updated January 8, 2025
