What Is a Field Service Technician? [+ How to Become One]

A field service technician is a skilled professional that’s responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining machinery, equipment, and systems at customer locations.

Typically, they provide technical and on-site support for industries such as utilities, construction, energy, IT, telecommunications, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Often, technicians are a company’s only representative that customers get to see in person. So their role is critical for bridging the gap between technology, its practical applications, and users.

This puts a lot of pressure on field technicians to deliver an exceptional service experience. In fact, a recent report outlined that 73% of customers expect a personal touch with each service.

That’s why these professionals have to have strong people and organizational skills. (Besides the technical expertise and know-how.)

And in this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to become a field service technician.

Including:

• Learning frameworks
• Career outlook
• Emerging trends
• Lots more

So if you want to become a field service pro, this guide is for you.

Let’s get started.

What Is a Field Service Technician?

A field service technician is someone that repairs, installs, and maintains machinery, systems, and equipment for clients at their location.

Put another way:

A field service technician is someone that travels to clients and ensures their equipment works correctly.

Key Takeaways

• Field service technicians are the ultimate problem-solvers that fix machines, troubleshoot system issues, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure equipment runs smoothly.
  
  
• People skills are just as important as technical expertise for field service technicians, as they interact with your clients face-to-face, and act as the ambassadors for your brand.
  
  
• From mobile apps and diagnostics to route optimization and other field service solutions, technology helps technicians deliver faster, more reliable services to your clients.
  
  
• With multiple paths including certifications, hands-on experience, or formal education, service technicians can specialize in various industries. Read the full guide below.

What Does a Field Service Technician Actually Do?

At its core, a field service technician is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and installing equipment on-site. This also includes systems and machinery, depending on their industry.

This can include:

• IT and telecommunications: Networking hardware, servers, telecom systems.
• Medical and biomedical equipment: Life support machines, diagnostic tools.
• Heavy machinery: Construction equipment, forklifts, warehouse systems.
• Utilities and HVAC: Water treatment systems, air conditioning units, energy meters.

While no day is the same, here’s what you can expect to do as a field service technician on a day-to-day basis:

• Diagnosing technical issues and troubleshooting equipment
• Installing new devices, software, or machinery for customers
• Performing preventive maintenance to avoid future breakdowns
• Training clients on proper use of equipment, systems, or machinery
• Maintaining records of work, parts used, and service reports

These are the five main responsibilities of field technicians. And the better you understand these 5 core activities, the more success you’ll have in field services.

So let’s dive into a quick overview to see what each one of these means.

Task #1: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Issues

At its core, a field service technician’s role is problem-solving. Equipment fails, systems break down, and when that happens, they’re the people you call to get things running again.

Troubleshooting isn’t just about swapping out parts, either. It's about diagnosing the root cause of the problem, quickly and accurately. And that often means reading error codes, running tests, and knowing which failures are common in specific equipment.

That’s why a field technician has to be methodical in their approach and calm under pressure. As one technician puts it:

“Maybe it'll depend on where you are, but I don't think that work is usually low stress or just doing what you're told. I think often you'll end up in charge of quite a few systems and be responsible when things inevitably break, go wrong, get delayed, etc.”

That speaks volumes:

Solid troubleshooting is what keeps entire operations moving.

Task #2: Installing Equipment, Systems, and Machinery

Field service technicians also set up new devices, systems, or machinery for clients.

For example, this could mean installing a new forklift telemetry system in a warehouse, configuring networking equipment at a bank, or rolling out software on-site for medical devices.

But the best field service technicians don’t simply “plug and play.” They check compatibility, train users on the spot, and leave behind documentation. This ensures fewer callbacks and builds trust with clients.

One field tech clarified this on Reddit, when comparing engineers to technicians:

“Engineers are designers and techs are the doers. [...] Engineers spend most of their days in an office. Techs would spend their day in a lab or on a shop floor.”

That’s why installations are such a core part of the role. As a field technician, you’re the bridge between design and operation.

Task #3: Performing Preventive Maintenance

Fixing breakdowns is reactive, while preventive maintenance is a proactive part of the job.

Preventive tasks might include oil changes on heavy machinery, checking battery health on mobile equipment, or updating firmware before glitches appear.

Why does this matter?

Because a well-maintained machine saves clients downtime and money. That reliability is what makes you valuable as a field service technician.

Companies increasingly expect techs to not only fix but also forecast and prevent issues before they become critical. As one technician explains:

“Everywhere I have worked, technicians are the ones on the floor doing the maintenance work and applying the solutions. Effectively they are the hands of the operation.”

In other words:

Preventive maintenance is all about catching small problems early. And then making the customer feel secure.

Task #4: Training Customers on Proper Use

A field service technician is also a teacher to their clients.

Whether it’s showing warehouse staff how to safely operate a forklift after a repair or walking medical staff through software updates on diagnostic equipment, client training reduces repeat problems.

Technicians who take the time to train clients build stronger relationships and save themselves extra service calls in the future.

Explaining “the why” behind equipment use also gets customers involved in the process and empowers them.

Task #5: Collecting Documentation and Reporting

Finally, documenting your work is as important as the work itself.

Field service technicians keep logs of parts used, hours spent, issues resolved, and next steps. This data helps companies with warranty claims, future troubleshooting, and compliance.

PRACTICAL ADVICE: Always write reports as if the next technician will pick up where you left off. (Because often, they will.)

Now, let’s see how all of this comes together in a typical day for a field technician.

A Field Service Technician’s Day-to-Day [Example Timeline]

• 8:00 Starting the day: Most field service technicians don’t sit in an office. Instead, you would check your schedule on a field service app or laptop, grab the tools and spare parts that you’ll need, and head straight to their first job.
  
  
• 9:00 First customer site: The first stop might be a hospital, factory, or office building. Some days it’s a quick maintenance check, other days it’s a major installation. You have to follow strict safety protocols and procedures because mistakes can be costly.
  
  
• 11:00 Troubleshooting problems: A common part of the role is diagnosing issues customers can’t explain. That might mean testing equipment, replacing parts, or updating software until the system is back online.
  
  
• 12:30 Customer support: Before leaving, you take your time to explain what was fixed and answer questions. Good communication is key. As one tech put it: “Building trust with the client is just as important as fixing the machine.”
  
  
• 1:00 Emergency call: Field service is unpredictable. Midday, a dispatcher may reroute you to handle an urgent breakdown. You adjust your schedule on the fly and drive across town.
  
  
• 3:00 Preventive maintenance: Not every job is reactive. Many days include routine servicing to prevent bigger failures later. This might involve cleaning, testing, or swapping out worn components. In manufacturing settings, you would often troubleshoot equipment proactively to avoid downtime.
  
  
• 4:30 Wrapping up reports: After the last visit, it’s time to file reports through the app, update your service history, and flag future needs. Documentation is essential for both compliance and customer satisfaction.
  
  
• 5:00 Heading home: While the day technically ends here, many techs mention long hours and travel as part of the job.

If you’re not, you can easily end up as this technician that got so wrapped up in his work that he typically clocked in 80 hours per week (including weekends):

“You would go a few years working some weekends, and some long days then a year here and there with loads of hours. You get so wrapped up in it, and start wanting 80+ hour weeks because you like the check...”

But it ended badly:

“...And then one day on my way to work, I just kept going and never went back. I let them know I quit.”

So just be aware of this if you’re considering a career in field services.

Field Service Technician vs. Field Service Engineer: What’s the Difference?

Most technicians and engineers agree that the main difference between them comes down to two things: education and responsibility.

Field service technicians focus primarily on on-site work: installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment.

Their expertise centers on hands-on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and customer support.

For example, a technician may arrive at a hospital to repair a life-support system or service networking equipment at an office. Their daily work involves diagnosing problems, following safety protocols, documenting service performed, and communicating clearly with clients.

On the other hand:

Field service engineers combine hands-on technical skills with managerial and strategic responsibilities.

They often oversee teams of technicians, design system improvements, develop preventive maintenance programs, and create detailed technical documentation.

Engineers are also more involved in planning, innovation, and optimizing operations.

A field service engineer in a biomedical company, for instance, may design a maintenance schedule for multiple devices across several facilities while supervising technicians performing repairs.

And while field technicians jobs don’t typically require you to have more than a high school diploma, field service engineers have to have college, Bachelor’s, or even Master’s degrees.

As this field service specialist sums up:

“At the end of the day, the engineers would answer for the results of any and all projects to management. The technicians / electricians executed a lot of the technical work on the floor.”

Field Service Technician vs. Field Engineering Technician

It’s important to note that field engineering technicians often sit somewhere between the two previously mentioned roles.

They perform technical tasks like a technician but may also handle more advanced troubleshooting, equipment calibration, or implementation of engineering designs.

Essentially, they bridge the practical execution of field work with engineering oversight.

Field Service Technician & Related Roles: Breakdown

Here’s a quick overview of the differences between field service technicians, field engineering technicians, and field service engineers:

Attitudes Towards Titles

Most professionals on both sides agree that the distinction between field technicians and field engineers is mostly semantics and prestige.

Some companies prefer the term engineer over technician. Similar to how some car repair shops prefer technician to mechanic.

For example, the term “engineer” is considered a marketing language in countries like the United States and South Africa.

In countries outside North America, it's even loosely applied to other field service professionals, like building maintenance staff.

On the other hand, in countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, “engineer” is a legally protected title and requires you to have a 4-year degree by law.

How to Become a Field Service Technician?

To get into a career as a field service technician, you’ll either have to go through a traditional educational program, get certified, or acquire hands-on experience through apprenticeship and internship programs.

But unlike field service engineers, most technicians’ jobs don’t require you to have a 4-year college education.

This depends on the industry you want to get into, level of responsibility, accountability, and risk.

For example, a medical field service technician will often have to have a college degree. But a technician in the automotive industry may just need to get mechanics certification or become a mechanic intern and learn the role from actual experience.

Here are the most common ways that people become field service technicians:

Traditional Education

• High school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement
• Associate degrees in IT, mechanical engineering, or electronics accelerate career growth
• Bachelor’s degrees open opportunities for more advanced roles or managerial positions

Certifications

• CompTIA A+ for IT equipment
• ASE Certification for automotive or mechanical techs
• HVAC Certification for heating and cooling systems
• Safety certifications like OSHA or CMRT for heavy machinery

Hands-On Experience

• Internships and apprenticeships provide real-world exposure.
• Entry-level technician roles can help build technical and customer service skills

Here’s a breakdown of each of these ten approaches to a field service technician career:

What Skills Should a Field Service Technician Have?

Field service technicians need a unique blend of technical expertise, organizational, and people skills to succeed on the job.

Their jobs often require them to work independently in dynamic environments. This means a lot of travel, handling advanced equipment, and interacting directly with clients.

Here are ten skills that we’ve seen companies look for when hiring field service technicians:

What Tools and Software Do Field Service Technicians Use?

If you want to be a field service professional, you will use tools at some point in your career.

When it comes to mechanical tools, this is a MUST.

What tools you’ll need to know how to use will depend on your industry. But this is the bare minimum that you’ll have to be acquainted with. After all, a field technician is a technical role.

This can also include skilled tool use such as welding, pouring concrete, operating different vehicles, machinery, and similar equipment.

On the other hand:

Most technician job postings don’t require you to know how to use field service management software and other digital technology. For this, most companies will provide you with training programs.

Here are the most common tools field service technicians rely on in their day-to-day work:

• Diagnostic software for detecting issues remotely
• Mobile apps for field service scheduling, reporting, and inventory tracking
• Augmented reality (AR) for step-by-step repair guidance
• Specialized tools like calibrated instruments, sensors, or IoT-enabled devices

Having experience with these types of tools improves your chances of getting hired. Especially since most companies nowadays are looking to field service automation.

For example, warehouse and manufacturing technicians often use forklift telemetry systems to monitor performance and prevent downtime.

In IT, technicians may employ remote diagnostic tools to troubleshoot servers without physically being present at the client location.

How Much Money Do Field Service Technicians Earn: Salary, Benefits, and Job Outlook

The average salary for field service technicians is $45,140 per year.

The starting salary for entry level field technicians is $29,518 per year.

The base salary for field service technician jobs ranges from $29,518 to $58,250 per year.

Field service technicians receive an additional income of 2,945 per year.

Our research is based on salary statistics in eight different countries:

Field Service Technicians Salary by Country

Field Service Technician Salary by Industry (US)

Common Benefits

Field service technicians often receive a range of benefits in addition to their base salary.

Common perks include:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
  
  
• Retirement plans (401(k) with company match in the US)
  
  
• Paid time off and vacation days
  
  
• Travel reimbursements for work-related trips
  
  
• Flexible scheduling, depending on company policies
  
  
• Employee assistance programs
  
  
• Support for personal and professional issues

Job Growth Statistics and Industry Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for field service technicians and related positions is expected to show little to no change over the next several years.

However, around 19,100 job openings for field service technicians are projected annually, largely due to workforce turnover with a growth rate of 3% YoY.

Certain industries, including biomedical, HVAC, and high-tech electronics, continue to see demand for skilled technicians, especially those with specialized certifications or experience in complex equipment.

Internationally, the rise of IoT devices, smart technologies, and predictive maintenance tools is driving demand for technicians capable of both hands-on repair and data-driven diagnostics.

How Do Field Technicians Drive Business Growth

Field service technicians are critical to customer loyalty, revenue growth, and the efficiency of your field operations.

In fact, their work can directly impact:

• How clients perceive your company
• How smoothly your systems and processes are running
• How you take advantage of new revenue opportunities

Here’s some of the ways field service technicians help your business to achieve these goals:

• Enhance Customer Satisfaction: Technicians are often the only face-to-face contact clients have with your company. And clear communication, fast problem-solving, and respectful service according to SLAs can turn a frustrated customer into a loyal one.
  
  
• Drive Upselling and Cross-Selling: Because field technicians work directly with customers on-site, they’re uniquely positioned to identify their additional needs. Whether it’s suggesting upgrades, new parts, extended warranties, or complementary services, these interactions can generate measurable upselling opportunities without feeling “salesy” to your clients.
  
  
• Generate New Revenue Streams: Your field technicians can often uncover unmet needs during preventive maintenance visits or troubleshooting sessions. They can recommend new solutions such as IoT, monitoring software, or energy-efficient upgrades that can help create new revenue streams, while solving real customer problems.
  
  
• Lower Downtime for Clients: One of the biggest ways your field service technicians create value is by minimizing downtime. Quick diagnostics, preventive maintenance, and efficient repairs means your clients can get back to normal operations faster.
  
  
• Act as Brand Ambassadors: Technicians represent the brand with every service call. Professionalism, responsiveness, and clear explanations leave a lasting impression. And a strong technician-client relationship often builds more trust than your traditional marketing efforts.
  
  
• Leverage Technology for Efficiency: Modern field service technicians use field service mobile apps, diagnostic software, and predictive analytics to speed up work. By integrating technology into daily operations, they not only improve productivity but also enhance the client’s confidence in the service.
  
  
• Provide Proactive Service: Instead of waiting for breakdowns, proactive technicians anticipate problems before they happen. Preventive maintenance and early detection save clients time and money, and reinforce your company’s mission to provide an excellent service experience.

eLogii Can Help You Better Support Your Field Technicians

Field service management is more than just scheduling jobs. It’s also about giving your team the tools, support, and structure they need to deliver excellent service.

eLogii can do exactly that for your field service teams. Here’s how:

• Smart Scheduling: Instead of manually assigning jobs, eLogii matches the right technician to the right task based on their skills, location, availability, and vehicle type.

• Field Service Mode: A dedicated Field Service Mode allows you to fully integrate eLogii with your current workflows, and match our automation with your operational dynamics.

• Route Optimization: Route optimization is the key feature of our software solution. It has one of the best route optimization mechanics which can instantly raise efficiency by 23%. That’s why it’s one of the highest rated tools on the market according to 40,000 route optimization software reviews.

• Full Mobile Support for Technicians: With eLogii’s mobile app, your technicians carry everything they need in their pocket: job details, customer notes, safety checklists, digital forms, and proof of delivery tools. This eliminates paperwork, improves first-time fix rates, and helps them to stay productive on-site.

• Real-Time Tracking and Visibility: eLogii allows you to track field service technicians live, including their location, ETAs, job progress, and more. This also enables you to manage them in real-time with dynamic scheduling and routing, while customers receive accurate ETAs and notifications, reducing missed appointments and increasing satisfaction.

• Data-Driven Insights: Use eLogii to measure technician’s performance with real-time analytics and historical data. Our analytics dashboard lets you track KPIs like first-time fix rate, on-time arrival, and customer feedback. This can help you to reward top performers, spot technicians who require extra training, and find new opportunities to optimize field performance.

• Built-In Safety and Compliance: Create mandatory digital checklists that technicians must complete before closing jobs. This ensures compliance with safety protocols and industry standards, while giving you a paperless record of completed work that you can access anytime.

• Enhancing Customer Experience: eLogii empowers your technicians to provide a better service to your customers with tools to log feedback, share updates, and educate customers on preventive maintenance. Meanwhile, automated notifications keep customers informed every step of the way.

• Scalable Workforce Management: As your team grows, eLogii grows with you. Whether you manage 20 field service technicians or 2,000, the platform adapts to your systems, operations, and scale, integrating with your field service CRM, ERP, or inventory systems for a seamless workflow.

Thinking About a Career as a Field Service Technician?

If you’re considering becoming a field service technician, you can expect a hands-on job that’s both flexible and rewarding.

Still, it’s not an easy job. Long hours, high-pressure tasks, safety risk, lots of travel, and days away from home are just a few of the drawbacks of this career path.

But with the continuous training, certifications, and development, especially when it comes to digital tools and technology, there is a lot of potential for advancement.

And if you’d like to learn more about the latest technological trends in field services all you have to do is subscribe to our blog.

Field Service Technicians FAQs

What does a field service technician do?

A field service technician installs, maintains, and repairs equipment on-site. They travel to client locations to troubleshoot issues, perform preventive maintenance, and train users on proper system use.

Their work ensures equipment operates efficiently, reducing downtime and boosting customer satisfaction.

How do I become a field service technician?

You can start with a high school diploma or GED and gain experience through internships or entry-level technician roles.

Additional certifications like CompTIA A+, HVAC, or OSHA improve skills and job prospects. But hands-on experience and ongoing training are essential for career growth.

What skills are required for a field service technician?

Field service technicians need technical skills like troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and product knowledge.

They also require soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. Strong safety awareness and customer service skills are equally important.

What is the average salary of a field service technician?

Field service technicians earn an average of $45,140 per year. But this also depends on experience, industry, and location.

Benefits often include health insurance, retirement plans, and performance-based bonuses. Specialized roles, like heavy machinery or medical equipment, tend to offer higher pay sometimes reaching $80,000+.

How do field service technicians drive business growth?

Field service technicians boost customer satisfaction, reduce downtime, and promote repeat business.

They can also identify upselling opportunities and act as brand ambassadors on-site. By providing proactive service, they help companies retain clients and generate new revenue streams.

What is the difference between a field service technician and a field service engineer?

A field service engineer usually handles more complex technical tasks and system designs, while a technician focuses on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Engineers often require a bachelor’s degree or specialized technical background. Technicians work on-site, executing practical tasks that keep systems running efficiently.

How can I advance my career as a field service technician?

You can advance by gaining certifications, expanding technical expertise, and taking on complex assignments.

Moving into supervisory roles, senior technician positions, or field service engineering is common. Continuous learning and building client relationships are key for growth.

What are common challenges field service technicians face?

Technicians often deal with unpredictable schedules, equipment failures, and remote job sites.

That’s why managing travel time, maintaining safety compliance, and handling difficult customer interactions are the most common challenges in the day-to-day work of field technicians.

Effective planning, proper tools, and ongoing training can help you to overcome these challenges.

Why is preventive maintenance important for field service technicians?

Preventive maintenance prevents equipment failures and reduces costly downtime. Technicians inspect, adjust, and replace parts proactively, ensuring systems operate reliably. This approach builds client trust and minimizes emergency service calls.