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The differences between automation & controls engineers and senior controls engineers 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 senior controls engineer. Additionally, a senior controls engineer has an average salary of $107,298, 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 senior controls engineer are control systems, HMI, and C++.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,542 | $107,298 |
| Hourly rate | $43.05 | $51.59 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,312 | 39,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
A senior controls engineer specializes in designing and developing control systems in various industries. Their responsibilities typically include identifying and understanding the company's needs, producing prototypes and test structures, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior controls engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Automation & controls engineers and senior controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,542 | $107,298 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $116,000 | Between $82,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Integrated DNA Technologies | Sagent Pharmaceuticals |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an automation & controls engineer and a senior controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between automation & controls engineers' and senior controls engineers' demographics:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |