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The differences between controls technicians and electronics repair 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 electronics repair technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a controls technician has an average salary of $53,345, which is higher than the $41,516 average annual salary of an electronics repair technician.
The top three skills for a controls technician include PLC, control systems and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an electronics repair technician are electronic devices, night vision equipment, and hand tools.
| Controls Technician | Electronics Repair Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,345 | $41,516 |
| Hourly rate | $25.65 | $19.96 |
| Growth rate | -4% | - |
| Number of jobs | 53,158 | 60,023 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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 electronics repair technician assists in the design, development, testing, repair, and maintenance of electronic and electrical equipment and devices such as computers, navigational equipment, and communication equipment. Your duties will include configuring files on routers, hubs, switches, and internet controllers, installing new electronic systems and equipment, and running software tests and upgrading software. Additional duties include performing preventative maintenance, maintaining reports and manuals, training new technicians in problem prevention and troubleshooting, and removing and replacing faulty components and parts.
Controls technicians and electronics repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Technician | Electronics Repair Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,345 | $41,516 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $30,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | Buffalo Grove, IL | Burbank, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls technician and an electronics repair technician in terms of educational background:
| Controls Technician | Electronics Repair Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between controls technicians' and electronics repair technicians' demographics:
| Controls Technician | Electronics Repair Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |