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The differences between controls technicians and electrical maintenance technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a controls technician, becoming an electrical maintenance technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical maintenance technician has an average salary of $59,898, 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 electrical maintenance technician are electrical equipment, ac dc, and industrial maintenance.
| Controls Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,345 | $59,898 |
| Hourly rate | $25.65 | $28.80 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 53,158 | 206,538 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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 electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed. Aside from providing technical support, an electrical maintenance technician may also train junior technicians and monitor their progress. Furthermore, in a company setting, one must conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical systems to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
Controls technicians and electrical maintenance technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,345 | $59,898 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $47,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Buffalo Grove, IL | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a controls technician and an electrical maintenance technician in terms of educational background:
| Controls Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | - |
Here are the differences between controls technicians' and electrical maintenance technicians' demographics:
| Controls Technician | Electrical Maintenance Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |