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The differences between field system engineers and system test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a field system engineer, becoming a system test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, which is higher than the $91,282 average annual salary of a field system engineer.
The top three skills for a field system engineer include PLC, troubleshoot and customer sites. The most important skills for a system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Field System Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,282 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $43.89 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | 5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 145,115 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A field system engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and applications to optimize company operations. Among their responsibilities include identifying and understanding the company's needs, conceptualizing plans, developing prototypes and test structures, troubleshooting and resolving problems, coordinating with fellow engineers, and producing progress reports as needed. They are also responsible for establishing guidelines, safety policies, and standards. Moreover, a field system engineer typically manages a junior team, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
A system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Field system engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field System Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,282 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $126,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | F5 | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Professional |
There are a few differences between a field system engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field System Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between field system engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Field System Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |