How to hire a control electrician

How to hire a control electrician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step control electrician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a control electrician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new control electrician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your control electrician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a control electrician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect control electrician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents control electrician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Control Electrician	Description	Hourly rate
   Control Electrician	Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.	$20-38
   Apprentice	An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures... Show more	$12-24
   Wiring Technician	Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PLC
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Ac Dc
   • Control Panels
   • Delta
   • Ac
   • Dc
   • HMI
   • HVAC
   • Switches
   • Test Equipment
   • NEC
   • Electrical Components

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Install electrical conduit (e.g., rigid and EMT piping) and commercial HVAC systems.
   • Inspect, diagnose and repair substations and motor control centers, Allen-Bradley PLC's and ac/dc drives.
   • Bend and install EMT, rigid, PVC, boxes, cabinets, and gutters.
   • Pull wire, hang cable tray, runconduit (robroy, rigid, emt).
   • Develop HMI applications using Wonderware Intouch.
   • Design motor controls to NEC code.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your control electrician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A control electrician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, control electricians' average salary in mississippi is 55% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level control electricians 47% less than senior-level control electricians.
   • Certifications. A control electrician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a control electrician's salary.

   Average control electrician salary

   $59,247yearly

   $28.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level control electrician salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a control electrician job description

   A control electrician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a control electrician job description:

   Control electrician job description example

   Certified Control Systems is an energy solutions provider. For more than 35 years, we have been dedicated to designing easy-to-use building automation systems that provide the highest possible energy efficiency, while ensuring occupant comfort. We offer industry-leading technology with local service that is hard to beat.
   
   Certified Control Systems seeks talented performers and offers a challenging and rewarding work environment that emphasizes teamwork, results, and most importantly honesty and integrity. We value our employees and are committed to attracting highly skilled, talented individuals to join our strong, family-oriented workforce and to help us build on our success.
   We are a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
   Job Title: Control Systems Electrician
   Department: Controls
   FLSA Status: Hourly
   Reports to: Master Electrician
   Coordinates With: Controls Group
   Salary: Commensurate with experience + Benefits
   JOB SUMMARY: Certified Control Systems seeks a Control Systems Electrician to be responsible for performing work required for the repair, maintenance, installation, and modernization of electrical systems for HVAC systems.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
   
   Performs work of a skilled variety demanding a high degree of manual and technical competency.
   Read, review, modify as needed and follow project related documents such as blueprints, drawings, project scope, budgets, deadlines, and sequence of operation for proper execution requirements
   Locates and determines electrical malfunctions using test equipment.
   Repairs malfunctions by such methods as replacing burned out elements, fuses, and replacing defective wiring, cleaning, and repairing equipment.
   Tests electrical equipment, such as HVAC equipment, motors, heaters, and controls for safety and efficiency, using standard test equipment and by observing functions.
   Installs fixtures, wiring conduits, motors, and other electrical equipment.
   Installation of EMT and Rigid conduit, as well as, cabling management & support infrastructure systems
   Inspects circuits for specified shielding and grounding.
   Knowledge of security and fire alarm systems.
   Build & wire BAS control panels (in-shop or in-field)
   Installation and termination VFDs, low and line voltage lighting controls, control panel power, and other components of the Building Automation Control Systems.
   Other Job Duties (Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor to limit duties that might be assigned)
   Troubleshoot and repair low and line voltage (up to 480 volt) circuits. (Know how to use a multimeter)
   Coordinate material and ordering requirements with Project Managers
   Attend job site meetings to represent & discuss workflow, scheduling, and progress.
   Must have appropriate tools to efficiently complete electrical work.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   4 Years' experience equivalent to a licensed Electrical Journeyman
   Completion of an electrical apprenticeship, or master electrical license is a plus, but not required.
   Thorough knowledge of the electrical trade and codes, preferably with line voltage control systems.
   Candidate is required to be organized, detail oriented and have time management skills.
   Must be able to work independently, with minimal supervision, or in a team atmosphere while acting responsibly and maintaining a professional attitude.
   Possess knowledge of good customer service techniques, have a congenial personality, and a helpful attitude.
   Requires initiative and ingenuity to analyze a situation and to make frequent technical decisions based on specifications and electrical codes.
   Understand and communicate with both verbal and written skills.
   Candidate must be able to learn and follow sequence of operations for projects in this industry while also having the ability to be a creative, self-starter.
   Physical activities of standing, balancing, climbing stairs & ladders, walking and lifting of weights of 50 lbs. or more are required in daily performance of job.
   Use of upper extremities required for forward and overhead reaching, pushing and pulling, and material handling.
   Use of torso and lower extremities required for kneeling, crawling, stooping, twisting, and squatting.
   Must be able to work in constricted spaces.
   Valid Florida Driver's License.
   
   SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   Each employee has a responsibility for their own safety, the safety of their co-workers, and the community in which they are operating.
   In the performance of duties and responsibilities, you are expected to observe all safety, health, and loss prevention rules, practices, and procedures, as well as specific instructions related to the safe and efficient performance of your work.
   An effective and viable safety, health, and loss prevention program will be attained only when all employees are safety conscious and keenly aware, both mentally and physically, of the potential hazards of your environment.
   
   We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
   Notice to prospective employees: There have been fraudulent postings and emails regarding job openings. EMCOR Group and its companies list open positions here. Please check our available positions to confirm that a post or email is genuine.
   EMCOR Group and its companies do not reach out to individuals to help with marketing or other similar services. If an individual is contacted for services outside of EMCOR's normal application process - it is probably fraudulent.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find control electricians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any control electricians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level control electricians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find control electrician candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit control electricians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new control electrician

   Once you've selected the best control electrician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new control electrician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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