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The differences between electronics 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 technician, becoming a controls technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a controls technician has an average salary of $53,345, which is higher than the $46,660 average annual salary of an electronics technician.
The top three skills for an electronics technician include hand tools, RF and ladders. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Electronics Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $46,660 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $22.43 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 83,284 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An electronics technician is responsible for the maintenance of the technology and electrical equipment to ensure its performance with the highest quality standards. Electronics technicians' duties include troubleshooting, replacing malfunction equipment components, upgrading technology and software systems, operating machines, diagnosing defects, analyzing blueprints, conducting system installations, and creating reports for technological procedures. An electronics technician must have excellent attention to detail and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to multi-task in performing tasks accurately and efficiently to deliver the best services to clients.
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 technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $46,660 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $66,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Montana | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electronics technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 52% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electronics technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Electronics Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% | 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% |