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The differences between process control 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 process control 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 $52,452 average annual salary of a process control technician.
The top three skills for a process control technician include PLC, control systems and logic controllers. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Process Control Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,452 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $25.22 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | 3% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 90,615 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Process control technicians require strong skills in PLC, process control systems, troubleshooting, calibration, and a desire for continuous improvement in addition to other skills. Those who choose this career path will be called to work with automated process control systems and assist in designing, creating, testing, and implementing process control panels.
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.
Process control technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,452 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $67,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Odessa, TX | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Stanford University | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a process control technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between process control technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Process Control Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.9% 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 | 6% | 6% |