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What is an electrical controls technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Electrical controls technicians are tasked with creating and managing job assignments and conducting preventive maintenance. They supervise, train, and guide lower-level technicians. They also analyze, troubleshoot, replace and install electrical DC controls and AC controls. Apart from this, they troubleshoot and correct equipment Programmable Logic Controls (PLCs). Also, they oversee the improvements of equipment controls. They develop, create and update all electrical documentation. The technician performs diagnosis and repair of manufacturing and facility equipment and ensures compliance with all relevant policies and regulations.

Most employers prefer candidates with an associate's degree in a related field and at least a year of experience with related industrial controls. Applicants must possess maths, analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills. You must be familiar with Microsoft Excel and software like CMMS and PLC Control software. Electrical controls technicians earn an average salary of $63,326. It falls between $38,000 and $106,000.

ScoreElectrical Controls TechnicianUS Average
Salary
4.8

Avg. Salary $61,087

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
2.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 8.05%

Black or African American 6.26%

Hispanic or Latino 10.43%

Unknown 4.32%

White 70.79%

Gender

female 3.57%

male 96.43%

Age - 52
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52
Stress level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Electrical controls technician career paths

Key steps to become an electrical controls technician

  1. Explore electrical controls technician education requirements

    Most common electrical controls technician degrees

    Associate

    59.2 %

    Bachelor's

    15.4 %

    High School Diploma

    10.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific electrical controls technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    PLC10.08%
    Allen-Bradley6.37%
    Electrical Equipment4.83%
    HMI4.45%
    Hand Tools3.81%
  3. Complete relevant electrical controls technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New electrical controls technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an electrical controls technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real electrical controls technician resumes.
  4. Research electrical controls technician duties and responsibilities

    • Supervise and manage several environmental ECAS annual, monthly and weekly reports in cooperation with regional CEMS manager for federal compliance.
    • Design, test, and implement PLC & SCADA programming to insure maintenance & production goals are meet.
    • Complete evaluation and modification of control systems including PLC programs, resulting in increase system efficiency and safety.
    • Develop a user interface utilizing excel and visual basic to push servo axis data into a programmable controller automatically using DDE.
  5. Prepare your electrical controls technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your electrical controls technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an electrical controls technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable electrical controls technician resume templates

    Build a professional electrical controls technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your electrical controls technician resume.
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
    Electrical Controls Technician Resume
  6. Apply for electrical controls technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an electrical controls technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first electrical controls technician job

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Average electrical controls technician salary

The average electrical controls technician salary in the United States is $61,087 per year or $29 per hour. Electrical controls technician salaries range between $45,000 and $81,000 per year.

Average electrical controls technician salary
$61,087 Yearly
$29.37 hourly

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Electrical controls technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

It's challenging job, because I learn every day.

Cons

If you don't focus you will get yourself in danger.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

I would like to be specialist in specific industrial equipment

Cons

I will not be comfortable when I do not know about industrial equipment.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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