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The differences between controls engineers and automation & 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 a controls engineer and an automation & controls engineer. Additionally, an automation & controls engineer has an average salary of $89,542, which is higher than the $84,532 average annual salary of a controls engineer.
The top three skills for a controls engineer include C++, troubleshoot and UL. The most important skills for an automation & controls engineer are PLC, HMI, and troubleshoot.
| Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,532 | $89,542 |
| Hourly rate | $40.64 | $43.05 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 50,203 | 54,312 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
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 engineers and automation & controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,532 | $89,542 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $111,000 | Between $68,000 And $116,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Carlos, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Integrated DNA Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a controls engineer and an automation & controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between controls engineers' and automation & controls engineers' demographics:
| Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |