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The differences between electrical engineering technicians and controls technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an electrical engineering technician, becoming a controls technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical engineering technician has an average salary of $56,704, which is higher than the $53,345 average annual salary of a controls technician.
The top three skills for an electrical engineering technician include test equipment, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $56,704 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $27.26 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 133,838 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 2 |
An electrical engineering technician is responsible for evaluating and designing electrical systems and improving the control equipment to support business functions and operations. Electrical engineering technicians assemble and install components by analyzing blueprints and schematics accurately. They also strategize cost-reduction techniques without compromising the quality standards, requiring them to negotiate with trusted suppliers and vendors for tools and materials needed for the production. An electrical engineering technician monitors the conceptualization of layout designs until the final output launch to ensure stability and prevent downtimes.
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.
Electrical engineering technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,704 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Walnut Creek, CA | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineering technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineering technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |