Field Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Field Systems Engineer in the United States is $83,499 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,860
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,342 to $92,587
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,825

Key Factors That Influence Field Systems Engineer Salaries

A Field Systems Engineer'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 Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Field Systems Engineer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,831
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,708
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $120,928
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $144,424
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,459
Levels Salary
Field Sys... Level Field Systems Engineer$82,831
Software ... Level Field Systems Engineer$101,708
Software ... Level Field Systems Engineer$120,928
Software ... Level Field Systems Engineer$144,424
Software ... Level Field Systems Engineer$165,459

How Do Field Systems Engineer 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 Systems Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $92,450.
  • California: $92,100.
  • Massachusetts: $90,872.

Top Paying Cities for Field Systems Engineers

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: $105,318
  • San Francisco: $104,164
  • Oakland: $101,969

What Skills Can Increase a Field Systems Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
  • Cisco (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.02%
Azure 2.71%
Cisco 1.62%

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 Systems Engineer's salary.

  • IT Infrastructure: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IT Infrastructure $91,849
10%
Python $91,849
10%
AWS $91,849
10%

Field Systems Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Field Systems Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Field Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Field Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Field Systems Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$104,374$50.025%
Biotechnology$100,199$48.020%
Pharmaceuticals$100,199$48.020%
Internet$96,024$46.015%
Energy & Utilities$91,849$44.010%

How Education impacts a Field Systems Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Field Systems Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Field Systems Engineer with a No Diploma is between $68,885 and $75,174).

Field Systems Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Field Systems Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 14.3%
Associates 10.4%
Bachelors 61.0%
Masters 13.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Field Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Field Systems Engineer'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 October 01, 2026
$76,342
Average $83,499/year
$92,587
$6,362
Average $6,958/month
$7,716
$1,468
Average $1,606/week
$1,781
$37
Average $40/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,587 $7,716 $1,781 $45
Average $83,499 $6,958 $1,606 $40
25th Percentile $76,342 $6,362 $1,468 $37

Most common benefits for Field Systems Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Field Systems Engineer

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

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FAQ about Field Systems Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Field Systems Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Field Systems Engineer 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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