Post job

Process control technician vs process technician

The differences between process control technicians and process technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a process control technician and a process technician. Additionally, a process control technician has an average salary of $52,452, which is higher than the $39,462 average annual salary of a process technician.

The top three skills for a process control technician include PLC, control systems and logic controllers. The most important skills for a process technician are basic math, patients, and OSHA.

Process control technician vs process technician overview

Process Control TechnicianProcess Technician
Yearly salary$52,452$39,462
Hourly rate$25.22$18.97
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs90,61574,367
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does a process control technician do?

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.

What does a process technician do?

A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.

Process control technician vs process technician salary

Process control technicians and process technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Process Control TechnicianProcess Technician
Average salary$52,452$39,462
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $67,000Between $30,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityOdessa, TXSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandRhode Island
Best paying companyStanford UniversityHP
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between process control technician and process technician education

There are a few differences between a process control technician and a process technician in terms of educational background:

Process Control TechnicianProcess Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegePurdue UniversityPurdue University

Process control technician vs process technician demographics

Here are the differences between process control technicians' and process technicians' demographics:

Process Control TechnicianProcess Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 81.1% Female, 18.9%Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between process control technician and process technician duties and responsibilities

Process control technician example responsibilities.

  • Spearhead inspection and packaging equipment for pharmaceutical products per FDA regulations to achieve production goals ahead of schedule.
  • Help develop standard operating procedure and perform safety reviews to meet OSHA standards.
  • Create safety programs and lead the site in safety training in compliance with OSHA CFR29 regulations.
  • Direct activities to ensure that workmanship and testing conform to ISO and QS9001 specifications per customer requirements.
  • Maintain appropriate PLC and computer software/hardware information.
  • Full knowledge and understanding of an organize ISO manufacturing environment.
  • Show more

Process technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage successful DCS upgrade projects.
  • Assist PMs in establishing effective project oversight and control, and in proactively identifying and managing project risks.
  • Manage a team of 16 technicians on all phases of the Fab start up: from process formation to manufacturing readiness.
  • Spearhead inspection and packaging equipment for pharmaceutical products per FDA regulations to achieve production goals ahead of schedule.
  • fire alarm system, air handlers, close loop chill water system, HVAC, and plumbing.
  • Programme VFDs, PLCs, HMI.
  • Show more

Process control technician vs process technician skills

Common process control technician skills
  • PLC, 15%
  • Control Systems, 6%
  • Logic Controllers, 4%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • HMI, 4%
  • Data Entry, 3%
Common process technician skills
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • Patients, 8%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Math, 8%
  • Dexterity, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs