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Field Service Technician I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Field Service Technician I in the United States is $46,912 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,769
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,874 to $51,548
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,198

Key Factors That Influence Field Service Technician I Salaries

A Field Service Technician 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 Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Field Service Technician 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 Technician I (0-1 years): $46,912
  • Field Service Technician II (1-3 years): $57,872
  • Field Service Technician III (3-5 years): $69,872
  • Field Service Technician IV (5-7 years): $79,114
  • Field Service Technician V (7+ years): $91,936
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Field Service Technician I0-1 years$46,912
Field Service Technician II1-3 years$57,872
Field Service Technician III3-5 years$69,872
Field Service Technician IV5-7 years$79,114
Field Service Technician V7+ years$91,936

How Do Field Service Technician 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 Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $51,941.
  • California: $51,744.
  • Massachusetts: $51,054.

Top Paying Cities for Field Service Technician 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: $59,170
  • San Francisco: $58,522
  • Oakland: $57,289

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.79% 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 2.1% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.79%
Repairing 2.1%
Preventative Maintenance 1.2%

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 Technician I's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Product Training: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Onboarding: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $59,578
27%
Product Training $52,541
12%
Onboarding $52,541
12%

Field Service Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Field Service Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,515. While startup companies pay approximate $44,427.

Field Service Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,427
Growth Stage 51~500 $46,986
Established 501~5000 $50,713
Enterprise 5000+ $52,515

Field Service Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Field Service Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 41% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Field Service Technician positions in Transportation or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Field Service Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Field Service Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$58,640$28.025%
Financial Services$56,294$27.020%
Aerospace & Defense$55,356$27.018%
Pharmaceuticals$54,887$26.017%
Energy & Utilities$53,480$26.014%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Field Service Technician 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 Technician I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $46,696 and $49,550.

Field Service Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Field Service Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.0%
High School 20.0%
Associates 60.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how a Field Service Technician 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
$42,874
Average $46,912/year
$51,548
$3,573
Average $3,909/month
$4,296
$825
Average $902/week
$991
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,548 $4,296 $991 $25
Average $46,912 $3,909 $902 $23
25th Percentile $42,874 $3,573 $825 $21

Field Service Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Field Service Technician 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.

Field Service Technician I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Field Service Technician II $57,872 23%
Electro/Mechanical Technician II $62,331 33%
Power Systems Rental Operations Manager $106,739 128%
Field Operator II $70,424 50%

Most common benefits for Field Service Technician I

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

Common company salaries for Field Service Technician I

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

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FAQ about Field Service Technician I

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

A Field Service Technician 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 Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Field Service Technician I is $59,170.

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

The highest pay for Field Service Technician I is $55,769.

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

The lowest pay for Field Service Technician I is $39,198.

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

Provides maintenance and technical support for company products at customer field locations. Installs new products or enhances existing ones and may provide training and best practices for on-site personnel. Determines when products should be replaced and recommends and plans upgrades. Identifies and troubleshoots malfunctions and conducts or schedules repairs. Develops detailed service reports to document service visits, issues, and troubleshooting actions and logs and tracks maintenance activities. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Field Service Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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