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The differences between controls technicians and traffic controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a controls technician has an average salary of $53,345, which is higher than the $39,099 average annual salary of a traffic controller.
The top three skills for a controls technician include PLC, control systems and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a traffic controller are construction sites, DOT, and safety regulations.
| Controls Technician | Traffic Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $53,345 | $39,099 |
| Hourly rate | $25.65 | $18.80 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 53,158 | 17,859 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 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.
The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control. They direct traffic in disruption areas like accidents, planned maintenance, building sites, and roadworks. They have to direct pedestrians for safety maintenance around road conditions and changed vehicles. They need to be keen on directing traffic flow.
Controls technicians and traffic controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Technician | Traffic Controller | |
| Average salary | $53,345 | $39,099 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $75,000 | Between $24,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Buffalo Grove, IL | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Siemens |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a controls technician and a traffic controller in terms of educational background:
| Controls Technician | Traffic Controller | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between controls technicians' and traffic controllers' demographics:
| Controls Technician | Traffic Controller | |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |