Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Field Service Engineer pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Sales Managers in the United States was $148,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $100,360 and $207,340.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-2022 Sales Managers
Lead Field Service Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $73,170 | $100,360 | $148,270 | $207,340 | $290,540 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.18 | $48.25 | $71.28 | $99.68 | $139.68 |
BLS estimated 637,080 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-2022 Sales Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $130,180 | $94,420 to $181,200 | 13,930 | 1.21 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $132,010 | $97,390 to $183,490 | 7,150 | 1.21 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $131,770 | $92,740 to $181,260 | 6,220 | 1.07 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $163,520 | $108,750 to $217,730 | 3,280 | 1.08 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $215,150 | $160,200 to $310,750 | 44,870 | 1.15 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $215,150 | $160,200 to $310,750 | 44,870 | 1.15 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $144,290 | $101,840 to $205,680 | 26,780 | 1.61 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $158,690 | $110,000 to $212,000 | 25,390 | 1.37 |
Rank every metro for Lead Field Service Engineer
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$215,500
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$200,050
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$194,160
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$191,680
- Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing$191,050
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging$182,340
- Paper Manufacturing$179,260
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$177,360
- Apparel Manufacturing$175,070
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$174,890
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing$173,430
- Chemical Manufacturing$171,400
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$170,940
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$170,490
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$169,370
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 65,440 | $113,290 | $156,150 | $204,070 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 10,250 | $132,350 | $177,360 | $229,440 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 9,080 | $109,850 | $140,710 | $179,810 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 6,850 | $114,070 | $143,090 | $181,290 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 6,450 | $130,520 | $171,400 | $220,770 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 6,220 | $100,730 | $136,710 | $174,260 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 5,590 | $111,430 | $158,980 | $203,730 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,650 | $109,390 | $161,050 | $210,400 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 4,350 | $117,350 | $158,810 | $198,340 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 4,220 | $128,490 | $166,290 | $214,760 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 3,800 | $117,960 | $158,350 | $192,840 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 3,000 | $121,670 | $157,040 | $197,810 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 2,720 | $104,010 | $143,670 | $179,360 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 2,690 | $82,920 | $106,710 | $155,200 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 2,690 | $152,310 | $194,160 | $235,200 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 2,620 | $82,970 | $106,710 | $154,680 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 2,490 | $126,000 | $163,390 | $200,000 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 2,490 | $138,070 | $200,050 | $255,140 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 2,330 | $127,400 | $169,370 | $213,970 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 2,320 | $101,040 | $140,290 | $195,480 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 2,310 | $98,420 | $131,780 | $170,170 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 2,020 | $128,410 | $167,200 | $209,800 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 1,930 | $140,800 | $215,500 | $301,630 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 1,750 | $118,500 | $147,040 | $176,760 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 1,570 | $125,040 | $161,310 | $181,230 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 1,540 | $111,480 | $147,780 | $182,160 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,500 | $96,000 | $133,450 | $200,940 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,500 | $96,000 | $133,450 | $200,940 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 1,440 | $121,860 | $155,910 | $198,010 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 1,380 | $142,950 | $174,890 | $208,740 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 1,370 | $133,390 | $168,160 | $213,610 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,350 | $118,610 | $165,000 | $211,530 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 1,340 | $132,360 | $179,260 | $219,380 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 1,300 | $106,090 | $133,010 | $168,430 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 1,300 | $106,090 | $133,010 | $168,430 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 1,280 | $129,160 | $170,490 | $218,050 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 1,130 | $106,200 | $135,560 | $176,670 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 1,100 | $80,930 | $120,400 | $170,950 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 1,090 | $128,640 | $173,430 | $218,130 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 950 | $99,000 | $128,670 | $170,600 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 940 | $109,370 | $141,500 | $176,340 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 910 | $108,850 | $138,110 | $179,990 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 810 | $104,580 | $141,580 | $181,520 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 780 | $88,060 | $119,080 | $158,990 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 740 | $119,110 | $161,290 | $204,050 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 690 | $131,960 | $164,310 | $210,560 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 680 | $95,640 | $122,700 | $166,530 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 670 | $103,980 | $135,480 | $172,670 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 650 | $118,500 | $150,850 | $209,500 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 650 | $118,500 | $150,850 | $209,500 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 600 | $113,150 | $132,960 | $176,090 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 540 | $99,830 | $137,440 | $173,990 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 520 | $127,150 | $165,800 | $213,440 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 510 | $104,600 | $131,580 | $164,070 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 480 | $121,770 | $160,500 | $184,850 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 460 | $132,410 | $175,070 | $247,470 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 440 | $110,630 | $160,530 | $199,990 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 380 | $120,890 | $149,780 | $184,270 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 370 | $135,500 | $191,050 | $281,890 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 370 | $82,190 | $109,340 | $161,640 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 350 | $106,850 | $142,050 | $198,970 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 340 | $98,200 | $139,380 | $195,450 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 320 | $132,580 | $160,490 | $209,850 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 310 | $133,550 | $170,940 | $217,570 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 300 | $124,190 | $164,270 | $205,170 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 290 | $105,270 | $136,100 | $163,020 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 270 | $118,250 | $136,750 | $173,200 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 270 | $109,760 | $157,440 | $186,080 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 250 | $150,810 | $191,680 | $242,370 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 210 | $100,710 | $139,380 | $191,390 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 210 | $98,410 | $155,950 | $257,450 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 210 | $118,460 | $146,830 | $186,430 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 210 | $112,740 | $156,020 | $208,030 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 210 | $82,590 | $103,200 | $148,840 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 210 | $98,230 | $120,020 | $163,750 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 200 | $124,670 | $156,020 | $209,970 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 190 | $120,660 | $155,020 | $184,190 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 150 | $107,440 | $142,860 | $179,180 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 130 | $96,730 | $139,960 | $232,140 |
| 334600 | Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | 130 | $121,580 | $168,940 | $201,790 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 120 | $121,630 | $149,140 | $168,810 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 120 | $94,960 | $131,690 | $164,520 |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | 120 | $94,000 | $141,380 | $193,810 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 110 | $121,630 | $147,020 | $200,540 |
| 313300 | Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | 80 | $132,730 | $165,970 | $245,750 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 70 | $147,740 | $182,340 | $225,920 |
| 312200 | Tobacco Manufacturing | 70 | $79,120 | $120,150 | $182,980 |
| 316000 | Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 50 | $75,200 | $135,210 | $171,600 |
| 316900 | Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 30 | $75,510 | $132,620 | $160,190 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Lead Field Service Engineer, separate the guaranteed salary from any discretionary bonus or commission arrangement. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $95,910 | $138,060 | $201,490 |
| May 2025 | $100,360 | $148,270 | $207,340 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about the authority you are offering?
Settle working technical leadership versus the service manager's staffing responsibility before outreach begins. We put the difference around working technical leadership versus the service manager's staffing responsibility in front of you so the interview tests missing experience rather than assuming it is already there.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Lead Field Service Engineer?
The median annual wage for Sales Managers in the United States was $148,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $100,360 and $207,340. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $73,170. 90% earned less than $290,540.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Lead Field Service Engineer at a plant?
Lead Field Service Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 637,080 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
VP of Sales (Industrial) pay Regional Sales Manager / Technical Sales Manager pay Sales Engineer pay Applications Engineer pay Field Service Engineer pay Lead Field Service Engineer pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Lead Field Service Engineer recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
The national median for Lead Field Service Engineers, mapped to the broad Sales Managers SOC 11-2022, is $148,270. The middle-band width of $106,980 ranges from $100,360 (P25) to $207,340 (P75), covering 637,080 employees. These figures are annual and exclude the additional field-based stipends and safety premiums that are common for lead roles in complex manufacturing environments.
In terms of major metros, New York-Newark-Jersey City shows a median of $215,150, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim shows a median of $132,330. The medianChange for these two regions was $3,480 and $5,540, respectively. These are annual totals. Manufacturing Headhunters notes that these regional differences underscore the high cost of labor in top occupational hubs. They are not representative of a single, nationwide wage standard for lead service engineering roles.
National industry benchmarks indicate stronger pay in sectors like Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing ($215,500), Semiconductors ($200,050), and Pharmaceuticals ($194,160). These national industry medians provide a better benchmark for complex technical service roles than the overall occupation median. Use these to identify the pay expectations for high-value technical service roles. Remember that these national averages aggregate across all service management functions and do not isolate individual technical performance.
This role involves balancing safe operation with unresolved technical conditions during commissioning. It requires a leadership role in the field rather than the administrative management typical of a service director. Because BLS uses a broader occupation definition, the hiring manager should adjust the middle-band width based on the candidate's specific commissioning background. The location quotient confirms where these roles are prevalent, but it should not be treated as a measure of candidate supply.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why is the median $148,270 for a lead role?
The median reflects the broader Sales Managers group. Lead field service engineers may command higher pay than this aggregate, especially in specialized industries.
What defines the technical leadership in this role?
It involves balancing safety and performance during on-site commissioning. This is a technical role that acts as a lead but may not have staff management duties.
Does this include travel-related compensation?
No, BLS data focuses on annual wages and excludes the specific daily allowances or travel-based pay that is common for field service leads.
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