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The differences between manufacturing controls engineers and automation & controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a manufacturing controls engineer, becoming an automation & controls engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a manufacturing controls engineer has an average salary of $96,327, which is higher than the $89,542 average annual salary of an automation & controls engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing controls engineer include PLC, CNC and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for an automation & controls engineer are PLC, HMI, and troubleshoot.
| Manufacturing Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,327 | $89,542 |
| Hourly rate | $46.31 | $43.05 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 51,699 | 54,312 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A manufacturing controls engineer ensures the manufacturing process of a plant is run efficiently and complies with all safety standards. Their role is to develop equipment to monitor and control efficiency of engineering systems and machinery, implement processes that will help manufacturers increase productivity, conduct research, test and analyze designs, and monitor the strategies implemented to ensure functionality. This position requires an engineering degree.
An automation & controls engineer is responsible for designing technology systems to support business operations and maximize productivity, minimizing costing effects, and develop efficient and fast deliverables. Automation & controls engineers analyze client specifications and business requirements, running multiple diagnostic and troubleshooting tests to ensure the accuracy of outputs according to budget limitations and project management procedures. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, especially on writing system codes and a strong command of programming languages.
Manufacturing controls engineers and automation & controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,327 | $89,542 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $125,000 | Between $68,000 And $116,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Carlos, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | JUUL | Integrated DNA Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing controls engineer and an automation & controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing controls engineers' and automation & controls engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Controls Engineer | Automation & Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 10.1% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |