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The differences between controls technicians and 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 a technician. Additionally, a controls technician has an average salary of $53,345, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a controls technician include PLC, control systems and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Controls Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,345 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $25.65 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 53,158 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| 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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Controls technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,345 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Buffalo Grove, IL | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a controls technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Controls Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | - |
Here are the differences between controls technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Controls Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |