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Field Service Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Field Service Engineer I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Field Service Engineer I in the United States is $73,658 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Field Service Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,052
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,227 to $82,239
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,372
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Field Service Engineer I Salaries

A Field Service Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Field Service Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Field Service Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Field Service Engineer I (0-2 years): $73,658
  • Field Service Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,427
  • Field Service Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,870
  • Field Service Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,192
  • Field Service Engineer V (7-10 years): $145,387
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Field Service Engineer I0-2 years$73,658
Field Service Engineer II2-4 years$90,427
Field Service Engineer III4-7 years$105,870
Field Service Engineer IV7+ years$125,192
Field Service Engineer V7-10 years$145,387
View as Graph

How Do Field Service Engineer Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Field Service Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,554.
  • California: $81,245.
  • Massachusetts: $80,162.

Top Paying Cities for Field Service Engineer I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $92,905
  • San Francisco: $91,888
  • Oakland: $89,951

What Skills Can Increase a Field Service Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.67% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Repairing (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
  • Technical Services (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Technical services are services that an IT organization provides to support business services or IT operations. Employee provisioning, backup and recovery, storage, and self-service help desk are examples of technical services
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.67%
Repairing 1.97%
Technical Services 1.31%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Field Service Engineer I's salary.

  • Programming: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Programming $84,707
15%
Presentation $83,234
13%
Project Management $82,497
12%
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Field Service Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Field Service Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,456. While startup companies pay approximate $69,756.

Field Service Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,756
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,775
Established 501~5000 $79,626
Enterprise 5000+ $82,456

Field Service Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Field Service Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Field Service Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Field Service Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Field Service Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$99,438$48.035%
Aerospace & Defense$95,755$46.030%
Energy & Utilities$92,072$44.025%
Financial Services$88,390$42.020%
Internet$84,707$41.015%

How Education impacts an Field Service Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Field Service Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Field Service Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $68,081 and $71,879.

Field Service Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Field Service Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 25.6%
Associates 22.0%
Bachelors 44.0%
Masters 6.2%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Field Service Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Field Service Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$67,227
Average $73,658/year
$82,239
$5,602
Average $6,138/month
$6,853
$1,293
Average $1,417/week
$1,582
$32
Average $35/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,239 $6,853 $1,582 $40
Average $73,658 $6,138 $1,417 $35
25th Percentile $67,227 $5,602 $1,293 $32

Field Service Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Field Service Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Field Service Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Field Service Engineer II $90,427 23%
Power Systems Rental Operations Manager $106,739 45%
Field Operations Supervisor $113,006 53%

Most common benefits for Field Service Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Field Service Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Field Service Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Field Service Engineer I

1. Where can a Field Service Engineer I earn the most?

A Field Service Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Field Service Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Field Service Engineer I is $92,905.

2. What is the highest pay for Field Service Engineer I?

The highest pay for Field Service Engineer I is $90,052.

3. What is the lowest pay for Field Service Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Field Service Engineer I is $61,372.

4. What are the responsibilities of Field Service Engineer I?

Provides on-site support and technical assistance with various products or equipment. Installs, configures, troubleshoots, and maintains products/equipment. Identifies, analyzes, and repairs product failures. Orders and replaces parts as needed. Develops detailed service reports to document service visits, issues, and troubleshooting actions and logs and tracks maintenance activities. Answers basic customer questions about product features. May provide some customer training. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Field Service Engineer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Field Service Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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