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What does a process control technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

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.

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Process control technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real process control technician resumes:

  • 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.
  • Perform HPLC analysis as well as a number of other chemical analyses in a corporate laboratory environment.
  • Perform tests on RF and digital electronic assemblies and systems to characterize performance, uncover specification deficiencies and repair damage circuitry.
  • Perform tests on RF and digital electronic assemblies and systems to characterize performance, uncover specification deficiencies and repair damage circuitry.

Process control technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Process Control Technicians are proficient in PLC, Control Systems, and Logic Controllers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Process Control Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • PLC, 15%

    Program, install, test and maintain Automation control hardware of ABB DCS and Allen Bradley PLC Systems.

  • Control Systems, 6%

    Installed new instrumentation and control systems on new machinery installations in the plant using various controls, sensors, and systems.

  • Logic Controllers, 4%

    Diagnosed and repaired electronic control panels, programmed logic controllers, censoring systems.

  • Continuous Improvement, 4%

    Participated and contributed to continuous improvement and problem solving activities.

  • HMI, 4%

    Developed HMI graphics, consolidating large amounts of information into intuitive displays.

  • Data Entry, 3%

    Performed database management including data entry, correction and retrieval of documentation for Ship Changes.

Common skills that a process control technician uses to do their job include "plc," "control systems," and "logic controllers." You can find details on the most important process control technician responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a process control technician to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what process control technicians do because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Additionally, a process control technician resume shows how process control technicians use analytical skills: "operate / set fiberglass sheet machines, verify sheet weight, glass content ration, specification limits and data entry. "

Communication skills. Many process control technician duties rely on communication skills. "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.," so a process control technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways process control technician responsibilities rely on communication skills: "work responsibilities ensure the integrity of control room operations, unit process operations, data communications and industrial computers used therein. "

Detail oriented. process control technicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to process control technician responsibilities, because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." A process control technician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "detail oriented and good communication skills with other process techs on other shifts. "

Observational skills. process control technician responsibilities often require "observational skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements." This resume example shows what process control technicians do with observational skills on a typical day: "recorded valuable test data and pointed out deviations that resulted from equipment malfunctions, or observational errors. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for process control technician responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of process control technicians all the time, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." An excerpt from a real process control technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a process control technician does: "utilized basic mathematical skills to figure heights and measurements. "

Most common process control technician skills

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Compare different process control technicians

Process control technician vs. Engineering assistant

An engineering assistant is responsible for supporting the engineering department's operations under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering assistants help with operating tools and equipment, developing and analyzing designs, communicating with clients by responding to their inquiries and concerns, creating project plans, and identifying business opportunities to generate revenues and increase profitability. An engineering assistant must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and processes to carry out tasks within strict deadlines and under minimal supervision.

The annual salary of engineering assistants is $11,950 higher than the average salary of process control technicians.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between process control technicians and engineering assistants are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like plc, windows, and transmitters.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between process control technicians and engineering assistant. For instance, process control technician responsibilities require skills such as "control systems," "logic controllers," "continuous improvement," and "hmi." Whereas a engineering assistant is skilled in "troubleshoot," "c++," "html css," and "worksheets." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Engineering assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $79,013. On the other hand, process control technicians are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $59,841.The education levels that engineering assistants earn slightly differ from process control technicians. In particular, engineering assistants are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a process control technician. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Process control technician vs. Validation technologist

A validation technologist works with a process chief and applies validation methods to complete tasks and carry out installations. They perform operational protocol duties and do reviews daily. They also analyze the validation test data to make sure it meets the necessary criteria for validation. They may have to generate and conduct all the phases in the validation process. These include IQs, OQ's and PQ's.

Validation technologist positions earn lower pay than process control technician roles. They earn a $1,995 lower salary than process control technicians per year.A few skills overlap for process control technicians and validation technologists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "gmp," "switches," and "r."

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that process control technician responsibilities requires skills like "plc," "control systems," "logic controllers," and "continuous improvement." But a validation technologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "troubleshoot," "python," "data collection," and "linux."

Validation technologists may earn a lower salary than process control technicians, but validation technologists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,319. On the other hand, process control technicians receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $59,841.validation technologists earn similar levels of education than process control technicians in general. They're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Process control technician vs. Manufacturing engineering technician

A manufacturing engineering technician is responsible for supporting the manufacturing processes of industrial operations by providing technical assistance on the design development procedures. Manufacturing engineering technicians inspect the efficiency and consistency of plans and perform multiple diagnostic tests to ensure that the product performs to its highest condition. They also recommend cost-reduction techniques while providing high-quality outputs and deliverables. A manufacturing engineering technician must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially on troubleshooting equipment and writing progress reports for reference.

On average scale, manufacturing engineering technicians bring in higher salaries than process control technicians. In fact, they earn a $767 higher salary per year.process control technicians and manufacturing engineering technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "plc," "continuous improvement," and "ac dc," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from process control technician resumes include skills like "control systems," "logic controllers," "hmi," and "data entry," whereas a manufacturing engineering technician is more likely to list skills in "troubleshoot," "laser," "lean manufacturing," and "preventative maintenance. "

Manufacturing engineering technicians make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $61,607. On the other hand, process control technicians are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $59,841.When it comes to education, manufacturing engineering technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to process control technicians. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Process control technician vs. Quality technician engineer

Quality specialists are quality assurance professionals who make sure that the organization's standards are constantly maintained in their products. They are employed in various industries, like technology and manufacturing. Their duties include planning quality standards, directing audits, providing recommendations to management on improving operations, as well as evaluating employee performance. It is their responsibility to ensure the current product quality specifications meet the client's requirements. Additionally, they identify product defects, conduct product tests and assessments, together with recording and reporting the issues.

Quality technician engineers average a higher salary than the annual salary of process control technicians. The difference is about $34,274 per year.While their salaries may vary, process control technicians and quality technician engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data entry," "ac dc," and "gmp. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A process control technician uses "plc," "control systems," "logic controllers," and "continuous improvement." Quality technician engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "product quality," "corrective action," "process control," and "supplier quality. "quality technician engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $94,345. For comparison, process control technicians earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.quality technician engineers reach similar levels of education compared to process control technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 2.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of process control technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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