How to hire a field technician

How to hire a field technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step field technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a field technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new field technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a field technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a field technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A field technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, field technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents field technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Field Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Field Technician	Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.	$13-23
   Information Technology Technician	An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues... Show more	$13-39
   Communications Technician	A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients... Show more	$13-43

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Ladders
   • Test Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Smartphones
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Asphalt
   • Broadband
   • GPS
   • OSHA
   • Work Ethic
   • Data Collection
   • Technical Support
   • Customer Satisfaction

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead training, operations, user hardware and software support, and logbook oversight.
   • Manage network reliability, capacity and performance in conjunction with RF engineering establish guidelines.
   • Install cable to data network, pulling cat5, cat6 to racks, patch panel patch cords.
   • Provide desktop support and troubleshoot network communications issue at customer homes.
   • Install AWS and LTE Equiptment.
   • Work with NOC's for trouble issues.

   More field technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your field technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A field technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, field technicians' average salary in alaska is 37% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level field technicians earn 42% less than senior-level field technicians.
   • Certifications. A field technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a field technician's salary.

   Average field technician salary

   $37,520yearly

   $18.04 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level field technician salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated November 13, 2025

   Average field technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$44,273	$21
   2	New York	$41,482	$20
   3	Kansas	$40,792	$20
   4	California	$40,187	$19
   5	Iowa	$40,184	$19
   6	Nevada	$39,390	$19
   7	Ohio	$38,940	$19
   8	Minnesota	$38,826	$19
   9	New Mexico	$38,810	$19
   10	Illinois	$38,401	$18
   11	Colorado	$38,392	$18
   12	Alabama	$37,839	$18
   13	Maryland	$37,710	$18
   14	Pennsylvania	$37,432	$18
   15	Arizona	$37,016	$18
   16	Georgia	$36,962	$18
   17	Texas	$36,519	$18
   18	Wisconsin	$36,374	$17
   19	Florida	$36,367	$17
   20	Indiana	$36,340	$17

   Average field technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	DCP Midstream	$56,694	$27.26
   2	Boardwalk Pipeline Partners	$56,181	$27.01	2
   3	Los Alamos National Laboratory	$54,650	$26.27	6
   4	Nabors Industries	$52,709	$25.34	25
   5	Sandia National Labs	$52,569	$25.27
   6	Battelle	$52,123	$25.06	26
   7	Virginia Eye Institute	$50,764	$24.41
   8	NEC Corporation of America	$50,739	$24.39	2
   9	The Manitowoc Company	$50,594	$24.32	106
   10	KIPP Northern California Public Schools	$50,178	$24.12	3
   11	H-E-B	$47,489	$22.83	4
   12	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	$47,392	$22.78	43
   13	Arcadis	$47,388	$22.78	20
   14	Home Bancshares Inc.	$46,449	$22.33
   15	Gilbane Building Company	$46,213	$22.22	5
   16	HP	$46,030	$22.13	6
   17	NTT Data International L.L.C.	$45,779	$22.01	35
   18	Vallarta Supermarkets	$45,669	$21.96
   19	ICF	$45,596	$21.92	11
   20	Ferrellgas	$45,311	$21.78	66

4. Writing a field technician job description

   A job description for a field technician role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a field technician job description:

   Field technician job description example

   Weatherford is a leading global energy services company. Our world-class experts partner with customers to optimize their resources and realize the full potential of their assets. Across our operating locations, including manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities, operators choose us for strategic solutions that add efficiency, flexibility, and responsibility to any energy operation.
   
   We are focused on technology development, digital solutions, and defining our footprint in the new energy space. Our ability to provide integrated solutions across our segments will be critical to growth in our core operations and the energy transition.
   
   Energy producers face unique challenges every day, so it is our job to create solutions that enhance safety, streamline operations, and sustain uptime to meet or exceed their targets. We operate across the global energy landscape employing some of the best diverse talent in the industry. At Weatherford, we understand the value each individual brings to the table. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are immensely proud of our workforce. We invite you to join our passionate, talented, word-class team.
   
   When you join Weatherford, you instantly feel connected to something bigger - a community that is grounded by our core values and driven to create innovative solutions for our customers. We celebrate each other's successes, grow together, and learn from each other constantly. Individually, we are impressive. Together, we are unstoppable. We are One Weatherford.
   
   Weatherford offers competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits program and provides you a challenging and enriching career path, with a healthy balance of structure and flexibility to chart your own course. We are focused on providing a challenging and enriching career path with a healthy balance of structure and flexibility to chart your own course. We are an innovative, global company with wide-ranging opportunities that include career-enhancing talent rotations. Our structured career paths will ensure that you know what it takes to build your ideal career at Weatherford when you join our Company. We also offer a comprehensive benefits program, including health insurance coverage, income protection plans, a 401(k) savings plan, Company paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation.
   
   Weatherford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
   Responsibilities Pre-load job with no supervision. Rig up and rig down cranes and bucket trucks Repair and maintain pumping units. Drive company vehicle to location when required. Maintain neat housekeeping. Available to work long hours when required. Know and understand Weatherford Quality Policy and comply with all requirements of the Quality Systems Manual, Operating and Technical Procedures and Workplace Instructions. Must understand and comply with all safety rules and company policies of Weatherford. Work assignments carried out to the highest quality level. Perform various other duties and activities as assigned by supervisor within the physical constraints of the job. Qualifications 2+ years of oilfield experience High School diploma or GED Clean driving record Must be able to work at heights Able to lift up to 50lbs. Must work in all weather conditions Good written and verbal communication skills are a must Able to work well within a team Required to a work flexible schedule, including long and/or irregular hours. Will comply with region specific driving regulations and Health Requirements. (US Region: DOT) PREFERRED Pumping unit repair experience Basic computer skills

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right field technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your field technician job on Zippia to find and recruit field technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting field technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new field technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the field technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new field technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a field technician?