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Job outlook for controls technicians in the United States
Controls technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected controls technician job growth rate is -4% from 2018-2028.
About -400 new jobs for controls technicians are projected over the next decade.
Controls technician salaries have increased 8% for controls technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 9,726 controls technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 53,158 active controls technician job openings in the US.
The average controls technician salary is $53,345.
Are controls technician jobs in demand?
Controls technician job and salary trends over time
Controls technician jobs over time
Controls technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,726 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 11,038 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,952 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 11,447 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 11,121 | 0.00% |
Average controls technician salary over time
Controls technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,345 | $25.65 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $52,052 | $25.02 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $51,552 | $24.78 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $50,616 | $24.33 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $49,608 | $23.85 | +4.3% |
Controls technician jobs by state
Most common states for controls technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 158 | 23% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 103 | 14% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 147 | 11% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 108 | 11% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 66 | 11% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 837 | 10% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 588 | 10% |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 578 | 10% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 344 | 10% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 311 | 10% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 132 | 10% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 636 | 9% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 488 | 9% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 271 | 9% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 71 | 9% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 845 | 8% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 508 | 8% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 148 | 8% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 141 | 8% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 80 | 8% |
Most common cities for controls technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlborough | 3 | 8% | $56,722 |
| 2 | Livonia | 4 | 4% | $52,529 |
| 3 | Melbourne | 3 | 4% | $46,844 |
| 4 | Savannah | 4 | 3% | $53,017 |
| 5 | Asheville | 3 | 3% | $52,413 |
| 6 | Orlando | 6 | 2% | $47,199 |
| 7 | Saint Paul | 5 | 2% | $49,539 |
| 8 | Huntsville | 3 | 2% | $46,385 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 4 | 1% | $53,342 |
| 10 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $56,784 |
| 11 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $53,595 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $53,735 |
| 13 | Birmingham | 3 | 1% | $46,081 |
| 14 | Lubbock | 3 | 1% | $48,520 |
| 15 | Fort Worth | 3 | 0% | $47,649 |
Controls Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of controls technician experts
University of Florida
Michigan Technological University
What will help Controls Technicians increase their earning potential?
Andreas Enqvist: Embrace opportunities and challenges! We see a lot of our graduates gaining opportunities that might be at the periphery of that they have studies at university etc, but that is normally a testament to their skills and the ability to excel in multiple different roles. Believing in yourself and accepting and pursuing some of those career opportunities that might be near the edge of our comfort zones, can often lead to very exciting career opportunities. There is a tremendous need for graduates in our field, and each graduate should not hesitate to explore multiple options and the opportunities that comes with their degree.
What general advice would you give to a Controls Technician?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.