How To Become An IC Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an ic technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

John Irwin EdD

Instrumentation and Controls (IC) technicians work to ensure that manufacturing devices work efficiently and in a manner that ensures maximum safety for everyone. They perform diagnostics and assess equipment for any malfunctions or sluggishness. They earn an average salary of $64,000 annually or $31 per hour.

IC technicians typically work at a manufacturing plant, and they assess, repair, and maintain the instrumentation, robotic controllers, and sensory readouts. They are also in charge of scheduling regular maintenance and system downtimes. They make sure that installations are performed when there are new updates. These technicians are able to work effectively with their hands and have solid communication and time management skills.

IC technicians mostly hold a degree in instrumentation or robotics from a technical college or vocational school. Some employers require experience as an operator in an industrial plant. They work full-time at a manufacturing plant but may work in shifts, too, depending on the workload.

What general advice would you give to an ic technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreIC TechnicianUS Average

Salary

5.3

Avg. Salary $68,302

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 4.91%

male 95.09%

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

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an ic technician

Explore ic technician education requirements

Most common ic technician degrees

Associate

58.2 %

Bachelor's

15.1 %

High School Diploma

9.8 %

Start to develop specific ic technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Control Systems	13.47%
Electrical Equipment	11.24%
PLC	5.89%
Transmitters	5.56%
Plant Equipment	4.71%

Complete relevant ic technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New ic 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 ic technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real ic technician resumes.

Research ic technician duties and responsibilities

Lead a team of 10 engineers to develop an infrare telescope that are launched on the NASA high-altitude balloonproject BRRISON/BOPPS.
Repair and installation of all HVAC systems.
Turn on all devices and power up SCADA Pak.
Perform loop checks to ensure proper operation and communication of field instrumentation and PLC's.

Prepare your ic technician resume

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

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