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Job outlook for controls engineers in the United States
Controls engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected controls engineer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 9,800 new jobs for controls engineers are projected over the next decade.
Controls engineer salaries have increased 8% for controls engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 21,396 controls engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 50,203 active controls engineer job openings in the US.
The average controls engineer salary is $84,532.
Are controls engineer jobs in demand?
Controls engineer job and salary trends over time
Controls engineer jobs over time
Controls engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,396 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 24,087 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,247 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 26,206 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 26,313 | 0.01% |
Average controls engineer salary over time
Controls engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,532 | $40.64 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $82,984 | $39.90 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $80,728 | $38.81 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $80,319 | $38.61 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $77,984 | $37.49 | +1.0% |
Controls engineer jobs by state
Most common states for controls engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 238 | 34% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,226 | 14% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 778 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 883 | 13% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 817 | 13% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,848 | 12% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 815 | 11% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 447 | 11% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 104 | 11% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 732 | 10% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 309 | 10% |
| 12 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 818 | 8% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 461 | 8% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 430 | 8% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 409 | 8% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 110 | 8% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 254 | 7% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 138 | 7% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 43 | 7% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 42 | 7% |
Most common cities for controls engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saginaw | 6 | 12% | $87,467 |
| 2 | Palo Alto | 5 | 7% | $113,824 |
| 3 | Huntsville | 7 | 4% | $84,404 |
| 4 | Pasadena | 6 | 4% | $103,870 |
| 5 | Orlando | 5 | 2% | $79,269 |
| 6 | Chandler | 4 | 2% | $88,092 |
| 7 | Fremont | 4 | 2% | $113,620 |
| 8 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $85,308 |
| 9 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $73,896 |
| 10 | Washington | 6 | 1% | $94,177 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $76,263 |
| 12 | Detroit | 4 | 1% | $87,677 |
| 13 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $78,194 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $103,873 |
| 15 | Dallas | 4 | 0% | $90,825 |
| 16 | Fort Worth | 4 | 0% | $91,045 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $88,222 |
Controls Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of controls engineer experts
San Jose State University
Seattle University
Gonzaga University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Stevens Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wilkes University
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Bellingham Technical College
Duke University
University of San Diego
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: After you proved yourself to your peers and supervisors, you can always ask your price. Otherwise, there are a lot of other companies that will meet your ask and value your abilities.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: All engineering and technical skills will be in need. People who are capable to use technology will be in high demand. Project management skills. Ability to use various software and be able to do some coding. Understanding of AI and how it applies to the specific work that you do.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Julie Brandis: Oregon State University provides support in salary negotiation, also students can work with mentors who are familiar with company hiring practices and wage structures. If you have internship experience, that can help to boost your starting salary.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Craig Johnson Ph.D., P.E.: To begin your career in our field, please know that there are some shared values, some behavior constraints, and some awesome possible career paths for you to explore! Our program is accredited through ABET, which means that you can acquire your Professional Engineering licensure. Along with licensure are ethics compliance and legal behavior. You must put safety as a first constraint in all work. Create great technical solutions to real problems that may affect us all. Politics and company policies evolve, and we must evolve with them. New finance realities dictate that you will be more active in both seeking new jobs and changing jobs to promote your careers. You are at the center of many crossroads of technical activity that present options for your path forward.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Craig Johnson Ph.D., P.E.: Master basic science and engineering concepts, as well as application of 'soft skills' such as written and verbal communication. Acquire skills and knowledge areas in electromechanical devices, especially in areas of energy and heat transfer, reflecting current issues related to climate change and power management.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Christopher Misorski FASM: My first thoughts on beginning in any field or with any company is “be a sponge” about what the company is doing and what they want you to work on. Do way more listening and observing than talking. Learn the processes used AND the pitfalls/challenges of those processes. It is highly valuable to spend many hours “watching production” to gather first-hand knowledge of what is going on. Ask questions and don’t be quick to criticize a production employees’ explanation of the problem, even if you are quite sure technically that it is not fully correct. Their explanation fits the issues they see with their learned knowledge over time. There are valuable insights there. Also, just because you graduated with a degree, that doesn’t mean your education is finished. Continue to learn by attending relevant conferences for your field, attending training classes, watching webinars, attending local professional society technical meetings and talking to other experts in the field at these meetings. There is a LOT of knowledge out there and many methods of learning more.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
Professor Winncy Du
Professor, PhD, PE, ASME FellowSan Jose State University
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Professor Winncy Du: Keep Engineering Ethics in mind -- protect the public and the engineers themselves. Make sure that they know and understand the core concepts of their field. No matter what they design, they need to follow the industrial standards or grades, and safety measurements closely. Check, check, and double check, especially when they design biomedical devices, mobile robots, autonomous vehicles or drones, and automated material handling systems. I saw increasing engineers' designs or products challenged by the prospect of being deposed in the courtroom.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Winncy Du: Mechatronics and system engineering. Almost everything around us is a mechatronics system (*mech*anicia+elec*tronics*+programming): iphones (vibrates and displays, senses); refrigerators, cars, etc. Mechatronics is an *integrated *system, thus a system engineer is very important -- ensure all the subsystems interact properly and work together as a whole system efficiently. Be emotional intelligence (EQ) -- one of today's most in-demand human power skills. Not only be an engineer, but be a leader. Leaders who excel at EQ will be the most sought after by, and indispensable to, organizations, industry, and academia.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jhon Smith: Professional skills such as being able to communicate clearly, being flexible, open-minded, eager to take on challenges, adept and working with others and taking ownership of the projects tasks given to you. Staying grounded to the fundamental concepts you learn in school so every time you run a sophisticated piece of software to do design you must be able to use those fundamentals to check the results.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Steven Schennum Ph.D. P.E.: The most important skill is the ability to learn new things, and especially to unlearn things you “know” after evidence demonstrates that these things are not true. Learn how to analyze information. Your intuition, simulations, and results should all be in alignment. If they are not, then dig deeper. Learn the terminology and jargon specific to your company and your projects. Spend time reading. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be intimidated by new software.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Steven Schennum Ph.D. P.E.: Put a good resume together and follow suggestions of people who are experts at preparing resumes. Before you have an interview, practice interviewing. Participate in a mock interview and listen to feedback. Maximize salary potential by documenting your accomplishments, your work, and your results. Keep a journal. If you have good documentation, you can more easily make a case for promotion when the time comes.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Davis: Engineers engage in various daily activities that are intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Every task is a step toward a tangible accomplishment, from innovating, designing, testing, and implementing new technologies to troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality. They may spend time in meetings discussing project progress, collaborating with colleagues, and planning future steps, all of which contribute to the sense of achievement. Engineers often use software tools to create designs, analyze data, and simulate systems, further enhancing their productivity and satisfaction. Depending on the field, they might spend time in labs conducting experiments, on-site overseeing construction or manufacturing processes, or in offices working on plans and reports, all of which are opportunities to see their work come to fruition. Entry-level Engineers: A bachelor's degree in engineering trains engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Entry-level engineers might start with tasks like data collection and analysis or assisting senior engineers with projects. Entry-level engineers might also spend time shadowing more experienced colleagues, attending training sessions, and gradually taking on more responsibility and management as they gain experience.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Min Song: Well, first, it’s important to be aware of typical salary ranges within the field and for the company extending an offer in particular, with that knowledge individuals can negotiate to maximize their compensation package. Generally speaking, the job description is great place to start to understand your competitiveness as a candidate and how to make the case for higher compensation. You might not possess all the skills on the list, but you must trust yourself that you will acquire all the needed skills and convince the employer that you will excel in performing the job and thus merit a higher starting salary. One way to earn a salary raise is to continuously improve your skillset, expand your knowledge base, and keep up with the state-of-the-art technology in your field. Another way is to build your professional network and identity, which can lead to promotions or a better job opportunity.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Min Song: Communication skills and innovative thinking skills. As emerging technologies continue to be complex and multidisciplinary, it’s important to be able to communicate with professionals in diverse disciplines. Taking robotics, for example, the electrical engineer must be able to work with mechanical and biomechanical engineers, computer engineers, software engineers, artificial intelligence experts, cognitive scientists, system engineers, etc. A person will be able to generate innovative ideas only if the person has a complete and comprehensive understanding of the entire system and can work well with other individuals with a range of expertise.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: An underappreciated skill that I think will become more sought-after is the ability to validate computer-made decisions and their shortcomings. With the growing prominence of AI use in design, problem solving, and decision making, the engineering field will need experts to error-check decisions made using these technologies. Sometimes there are unexplored gaps that these technologies overlook, and sometimes there are biases or inappropriate assumptions baked into AI-based results. Humans are inherently imaginative and creative. We excel at picking up on things that computer algorithms may miss. Talented experts that recognize and address these issues will remain invaluable in the workforce. Another indispensable skill that is often overlooked in engineering is effective interpersonal communication. Whether in a teamwork context, a leadership role, or a client interaction, competent communication is crucial. This can take the form of conversation, live presentations, written correspondence, and beyond. People that hone their communication skills are often recognized, and tend to be the individuals that are promoted to more senior roles.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: To maximize salary potential, I recommend growing your professional network and being flexible within your career. Attending professional gatherings and rubbing shoulders goes a very long way. It’s amazing how you can casually bump into some well-respected team leader that’s trying to fill an opening or glean information about a new project that needs fresh talent. Network with people in diverse fields and roles. You never know who knows who. Making a positive impression and having someone recognize your name down the line can go a very long way!
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mansooreh Mollaghasemi Ph.D.: Concurrent with building technical skills, they must build soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are often the differentiators between good and great engineers.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Megumi Usui: Many individuals aspire to earn a substantial salary right from the beginning of their careers. However, this is not typically how the professional world operates. it is essential to demonstrate to your employer that you are a skilled, valuable, and irreplaceable asset. This process takes time and dedication. Avoid pressuring your employer for immediate rewards based solely on self-perception. While family may view you as exceptional, in the professional realm, you must distinguish yourself through your actions. Prove your worth by consistently arriving on time, working diligently, completing tasks swiftly and accurately, and exceeding expectations. Take a proactive approach to your projects and strive to impress your employer in every conceivable way. Continuously acquiring new skills that are valuable to the company is crucial. Additionally, building a strong network within your field by making professional connections and fostering friendships can significantly enhance your career prospects. By embodying these qualities, you can effectively demonstrate your value and potentially achieve the financial and professional rewards you seek.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Megumi Usui: Even after obtaining a degree, it is crucial to recognize that continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of professional development in the workplace. One must cultivate an open-minded attitude and demonstrate a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills at any time and in any context. Effective communication with colleagues and clients is essential for successful collaboration and project execution. It is important to understand that the professional environment is significantly different from the academic setting. In a company, the focus is delivering work that meets the expectations and standards set by the employer and satisfies the needs of clients, rather than merely fulfilling personal criteria. Furthermore, it is imperative to produce high-quality work consistently. Mediocre performance is unacceptable, and organizations will not hesitate to seek replacements if the work delivered does not meet their standards. Ensuring that your work is thorough, precise, and aligns with the company's objectives is critical for maintaining the position and advancing their career.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Michael Denn: 1. Become the expert in whatever you do. 2. Understand how your work fits into the bigger picture and keep that in mind when you do your work. 3. Keep learning! Your engineering degree is not the end of your education! 4. Take stretch assignments and opportunities whenever you can.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Denn: 1. The time needed to progress from an idea to a quality prototype is continually decreasing. That trend will likely continue. Skills that support short development times, such as computer modeling, simulations and rapid prototyping, will continue to be valued. 2. One skill that will always be valuable is the ability to acquire new knowledge and apply it to the task at hand.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Plan to get your PE license. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and become proficient with a new skill or a new area of expertise. Continue to develop both your technical and leadership skills.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Technical, management, leadership, and organizational skills will always be important. Becoming proficient in new areas such as AI (artificial intelligence) best practices will be needed.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Elizabeth Adams PhD, PE: Understanding how technology can make jobsites more efficient is going to continue to grow in importance, from software that manages RFIs and submittal documents to keeping digital records of project progress and milestones to utilizing fully autonomous heavy machinery to accomplish large portions of the work. Develop skills and knowledge around industry technology and be proactive about staying up to date on what your company is using, what is available, and what is coming down the line in the near future.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kelvin Erickson: Your performance on your first project will be extremely important. Do your “dead-level” best to exceed your supervisor’s expectations. For my first project, I was taking over a project from an engineer that left the company. One of the more experienced engineers spent a couple of days getting me started on it and outlined the remaining tasks. I took it from there, working with the other engineers on similar projects. The company was developing an entire new line of process control equipment, of which my project was one of the devices. Because of the unanticipated change in the project personnel, my manager expected a few months delay, but I completed the project by the original deadline. After that, there were other projects that I did not do so well on. But because I had succeeded so well in the beginning, it was not viewed negatively.
Kyle Miller
Welding Technologies instructor - Pipe TradesBellingham Technical College
Precision Metal Working
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Kyle Miller: The advice I feel the most compelled to offer, based on personal experience, is to embrace the first few years in the field as a nebulous growth period. There is often a rush for graduates to 'realize their identity' in the field, at the risk of narrowing their potential in the trades. The first year or two is a great time to shake every hand and make every acquaintance possible. A lot of those interactions can help guide a trades-person along a pathway they didn't realize was possible upon their first steps into the working world.
What Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: Engineering encompasses so many areas of modern life that it’s impossible to provide a comprehensive answer here. The training that engineers receive, both the technical and the applied nature, make these individuals quite attractive to all types of industries. Perhaps the most surprising to many people are the significant number of engineers employed in financial services.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: I believe it’s the old notion of what an engineer is, and being pigeonholed. This notion, even among legacy institutions, is fading quite quickly as engineers move into all types of businesses and roles.
Dr. Imane Khalil
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of Graduate ProgramsUniversity of San Diego
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Controls Engineer?
Dr. Imane Khalil: Focus on pursuing work that aligns with your passions and values rather than solely the big salary. Growth and purpose will lead to a bigger salary over time. When negotiating job offers, ensure you're being compensated fairly compared to industry standards and your peers, but prioritize career development opportunities and job satisfaction over salary.
What will help Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Imane Khalil: It's important not to limit yourself in terms of the type of work or the product you want to be involved in creating at the start of your career. Any engineering job is fine to start your career. You may not yet have the experience to know your preferences. Instead, seek out opportunities for rotational positions that expose you to different stages of product creation, from design to analysis, development, testing, and manufacturing. All products go through the same cycle (design, analysis, development, testing, and at the end manufacturing). Explore and see what you enjoy doing.