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The differences between automation & controls engineers and controls designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an automation & controls engineer and a controls designer. Additionally, a controls designer has an average salary of $91,944, which is higher than the $89,542 average annual salary of an automation & controls engineer.
The top three skills for an automation & controls engineer include PLC, HMI and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a controls designer are PLC, control panels, and IDS.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,542 | $91,944 |
| Hourly rate | $43.05 | $44.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,312 | 79,729 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An automation & controls engineer is responsible for designing technology systems to support business operations and maximize productivity, minimizing costing effects, and develop efficient and fast deliverables. Automation & controls engineers analyze client specifications and business requirements, running multiple diagnostic and troubleshooting tests to ensure the accuracy of outputs according to budget limitations and project management procedures. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, especially on writing system codes and a strong command of programming languages.
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
Automation & controls engineers and controls designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average salary | $89,542 | $91,944 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $116,000 | Between $69,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Integrated DNA Technologies | Visteon |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an automation & controls engineer and a controls designer in terms of educational background:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between automation & controls engineers' and controls designers' demographics:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 17.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |