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The differences between hvac controls technicians and controls technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a hvac controls technician, becoming a controls technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a hvac controls technician has an average salary of $54,632, which is higher than the $53,345 average annual salary of a controls technician.
The top three skills for a hvac controls technician include mechanical systems, customer satisfaction and hand tools. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Hvac Controls Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $54,632 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $26.27 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | 5% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 81,166 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An HVAC controls technician specializes in installing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning control systems. Among their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, troubleshooting errors, repairing and replacing parts, and setting up control panels and sensors. They may also provide clients with cost-estimates, discuss the extent of repairs, and educate them on operating and taking better care of their devices. Furthermore, an HVAC controls technician may perform regular maintenance checks on systems and equipment, cleaning or fixing parts when necessary.
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.
Hvac controls technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Controls Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $54,632 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $74,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Leandro, CA | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a hvac controls technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Controls Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between hvac controls technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Hvac Controls Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 2% | 6% |