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The differences between ie 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 ie technician, becoming a controls technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an ie technician has an average salary of $67,439, which is higher than the $53,345 average annual salary of a controls technician.
The top three skills for an ie technician include PLC, electrical equipment and control systems. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| IE Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $67,439 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $32.42 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 28,129 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 58% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An IE technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical equipment and components that run manufacturing companies and production processes. IE technicians calibrate machinery and troubleshoot defective parts to ensure smooth operations and prevent operational delays and avoid potential hazards in the workplace. They also assemble machines and fix network failures by studying schematics and blueprints and utilizing efficient resources. An IE technician must have excellent electrical and mechanical skills, record resolutions for reference, and write incident reports.
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.
Ie technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| IE Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $67,439 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $91,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between an ie technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| IE Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 58% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between ie technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| IE Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | 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% |