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The differences between electronics engineering technicians and controls technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an electronics engineering technician, becoming a controls technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electronics engineering technician has an average salary of $67,801, which is higher than the $53,345 average annual salary of a controls technician.
The top three skills for an electronics engineering technician include troubleshoot, RF and hand tools. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Electronics Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $67,801 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $32.60 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 73,798 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Electronics Engineering Technician helps engineers design and advance electronic devices and components, install electrical equipment, and maintain electronic systems. They usually work in product evaluation and testing. They use diagnostic and measuring devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. They ensure customer satisfaction by minimizing downtime, correcting and troubleshooting errors. Further duties include training new technicians in troubleshooting various equipment or product, giving management performance recommendations, testing the system by setting up equipment under simulated conditions, and documenting the troubleshooting process.
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.
Electronics engineering technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $67,801 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $93,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Texas Instruments | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electronics engineering technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electronics engineering technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Electronics Engineering Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6% | 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% |