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The differences between cost controllers and controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a cost controller, becoming a controls engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a controls engineer has an average salary of $84,532, which is higher than the $76,697 average annual salary of a cost controller.
The top three skills for a cost controller include project management, cost analysis and financial statements. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.
| Cost Controller | Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,697 | $84,532 |
| Hourly rate | $36.87 | $40.64 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 17,477 | 50,203 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Cost Controller manages the project costs. Cost Controllers' tasks include developing, controlling, planning, and forecasting the project's budget. They make sure that projects are completed within the approved budget and minimize the deflection from it. Cost Controllers should know about total cost management concepts, budget distribution, and setting a cost limit. They should also know how to detect issues, analyze cost reports, and value management. Being a cost controller also requires skills to effectively communicate the project's cost performance, concerns, and recovery plans to the project team.
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
Cost controllers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cost Controller | Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,697 | $84,532 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $114,000 | Between $64,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | NOVA Chemicals | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a cost controller and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Cost Controller | Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between cost controllers' and controls engineers' demographics:
| Cost Controller | Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |