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The differences between controls technicians and automation control technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a controls technician and an automation control technician. Additionally, an automation control technician has an average salary of $58,651, which is higher than the $53,345 average annual salary of a controls technician.
The top three skills for a controls technician include PLC, control systems and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an automation control technician are PLC, HMI, and HVAC.
| Controls Technician | Automation Control Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,345 | $58,651 |
| Hourly rate | $25.65 | $28.20 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 53,158 | 64,119 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A controls technician is in charge of operating various systems within a building or facility. Although the responsibilities will vary upon the line of work or employment, the duties still revolve around using software to control types of machinery and systems such as manufacturing devices and equipment, even lighting and ventilation. It is crucial to coordinate with department managers and supervisors to avoid any technical problems and ensure a safe work environment for everyone.
An automation control technician specializes in installing and maintaining automated systems to ensure functionality and efficiency. Their duties entail inspecting computer or robotic systems to diagnose issues, troubleshoot problems, design and implement test structures, repair or fix components, and maintain logs and records. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks and provide technical support to staff through manuals and training instructions. Moreover, as an automation control technician, it is essential to be proactive at handling issues and concerns, resolving them quickly and efficiently.
Controls technicians and automation control technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Technician | Automation Control Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,345 | $58,651 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $43,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Buffalo Grove, IL | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | - |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a controls technician and an automation control technician in terms of educational background:
| Controls Technician | Automation Control Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between controls technicians' and automation control technicians' demographics:
| Controls Technician | Automation Control Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |