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The differences between production test 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 a production test 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 $41,059 average annual salary of a production test technician.
The top three skills for a production test technician include production test, hand tools and RF. The most important skills for a controls technician are PLC, control systems, and preventative maintenance.
| Production Test Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,059 | $53,345 |
| Hourly rate | $19.74 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 91,524 | 53,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Production Test Technicians are responsible for the testing and assembly of manufactured goods before releasing them internally or to the general public. They are involved in running tests in equipment and assemblies, performing instrument calibrations, examining finish products conform with specifications, using statistical methods to identify problems, and providing reports on defects. They work with investors, product developers, and other stakeholders in fixing defects and improving the quality of a product. In testing, they will perform inspections for achieving multipoint safety and efficiency.
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.
Production test technicians and controls technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Test Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,059 | $53,345 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $53,000 | Between $37,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beverly, MA | Buffalo Grove, IL |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Sanmina | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a production test technician and a controls technician in terms of educational background:
| Production Test Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between production test technicians' and controls technicians' demographics:
| Production Test Technician | Controls Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5% | 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% |