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Job outlook for outside plant engineers in the United States
Are outside plant engineer jobs in demand?
Outside plant engineer job and salary trends over time
Outside plant engineer jobs over time
Outside plant engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,832 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,824 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,827 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,836 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,806 | 0.00% |
Average outside plant engineer salary over time
Outside plant engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,603 | $41.16 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $83,650 | $40.22 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $82,046 | $39.45 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $80,704 | $38.80 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $79,983 | $38.45 | +1.3% |
Outside plant engineer jobs by state
Most common states for outside plant engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 218 | 31% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 77 | 13% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 125 | 12% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 847 | 10% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 92 | 10% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 60 | 10% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 275 | 9% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 578 | 8% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 531 | 8% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 488 | 8% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 464 | 8% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 441 | 8% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 329 | 8% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 157 | 8% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,590 | 7% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 441 | 7% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 321 | 7% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 92 | 7% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 60 | 7% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 53 | 7% |
Most common cities for outside plant engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth Amboy | 2 | 4% | $96,177 |
| 2 | White Bear Lake | 1 | 4% | $87,165 |
| 3 | Richfield | 1 | 3% | $86,968 |
| 4 | New Brunswick | 1 | 2% | $96,137 |
| 5 | Duluth | 1 | 1% | $87,611 |
| 6 | Jersey City | 1 | 0% | $96,145 |
| 7 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $87,029 |
| 8 | Newark | 1 | 0% | $96,107 |
Outside Plant Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of outside plant engineer experts
University of California - Davis
What Outside Plant Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Philipp Zerbe: There are several opportunities a student can consider. Improve your background knowledge by taking online classes, reading relevant literature, and attending online seminars that are hosted by universities and scientific societies and are often open to the public. Expand your skillset. For example, in biology and other STEM fields, expertise in programming is an increasingly desired skill. In addition, take advantage of management, entrepreneurship and/or leadership training available either at your university or through reputed online courses. These skills not only are valuable for anyone seeking a leadership role in their career, but also show a forward-looking and self-motivated attitude. Lastly, look for internships (in person or remote), for example, at your university, industry or non-profit organizations. These opportunities are an excellent opportunity to grow professionally and explore possible career avenues
What general advice would you give to an Outside Plant Engineer?
Philipp Zerbe: While most career sectors have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, job opportunities in botany, plant biology and biology in general have been affected comparatively less. Therefore, do not be discouraged; explore the many career possibilities in plant biology and find something that truly speaks to your personality and your career dreams and pursue opportunities in this direction. At the same time be flexible and open-minded toward new opportunities. Botany/Plant Biology is a diverse and international field with many different career possibilities. Be open to exploring different fields and to relocate nationally or internationally for internships or job opportunities.