How To Become An Automation Control Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an automation control technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Automation control technicians are in charge of monitoring automated systems, performing maintenance checks, and handling repairs or replacements as needed. They work in almost any industry that uses automated systems in operations, but the industries with the most job opportunities are manufacturing, industrial, and food processing.

The typical day of an automation control technician revolves around checking and maintaining systems. If they find a problem, they are responsible for troubleshooting the issue and deciding if it has something to do with the electrical, mechanical, or computer components. Apart from that, they also document any maintenance procedures done on automated systems, as well as making daily or weekly reports.

Many employers have a preference for applicants with an associate's degree in automation technology or mechatronics, which teaches lessons on computer science integrated with mechanics and electronics. Experience is also a plus, but many associate degree programs have on-the-job training that may suffice for this entry-level position.

ScoreAutomation Control TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.6

Avg. Salary $58,651

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 7.44%

Black or African American 9.74%

Hispanic or Latino 16.80%

Unknown 4.90%

White 60.42%

Gender

female 4.35%

male 95.65%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.2

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an automation control technician

Explore automation control technician education requirements

Most common automation control technician degrees

Associate

39.2 %

Bachelor's

33.1 %

High School Diploma

12.3 %

Start to develop specific automation control technician skills

Skills	Percentages
PLC	12.47%
HMI	10.24%
HVAC	8.31%
Building Automation	5.79%
SCADA	5.13%

Complete relevant automation control technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New automation control technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an automation control technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real automation control technician resumes.

Research automation control technician duties and responsibilities

Manage all aspects of Marketo campaign strategy and implementation.
Design and install a building automation system for a school HVAC system
Install new temp/data logging system on smoke house and set up/programmed PLC and HMI for RTD probes.
Complete PLC/HMI program testing and modification and VFD programming.

Prepare your automation control technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your automation control technician resume.

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