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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automation Controls Technician I in Tennessee is $74,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an Automation Controls Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Automation Controls Technician I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,900 | $6,742 | $1,556 | $39 |
| Average | $74,300 | $6,192 | $1,429 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,400 | $5,533 | $1,277 | $32 |
SSW Advanced Technologies - Sweetwater, TN
CIS LLC - Nashville, TN
Hoffman & Hoffman - Nashville, TN
Transnetyx - Cordova, TN
An Automation Controls Technician I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Automation Controls Technician I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Controls Technician I | 1-3 years | $74,227 |
| Automation Controls Technician II | 3-5 years | $82,219 |
| Automation Controls Technician III | 5-7 years | $90,721 |
| Automation Engineering Manager | 7+ years | $156,362 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Automation Controls Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Automation Controls Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $83,387. While startup companies pay approximate $70,612.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $70,612 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $74,657 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $80,544 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $83,387 |
For Automation Controls Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Automation Controls Technician positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automation Controls Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $104,020 | $50.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $96,590 | $46.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $92,875 | $45.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $89,160 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $85,445 | $41.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Automation Controls Technician I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,900 | $6,742 | $1,556 | $39 |
| Average | $74,300 | $6,192 | $1,429 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,400 | $5,533 | $1,277 | $32 |
For an Automation Controls Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Automation Controls Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $82,300 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Automation Controls Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Transnetyx
Memphis, TN
Transnetyx | Memphis, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Automation Technician II. Department. Engineering / Operations. Location. Headquarters — Cordova, TN. Reports To. Operati... more
1 Day Ago
Endress+Hauser
Nashville, TN
Endress+Hauser | Nashville, TN
At Endress+Hauser, progress happens by working together.As the global leader in measurement instrumentation, our 17,000 employees shape the future in the f... more
2 Days Ago
Christie Lites
Lebanon, TN
Christie Lites | Lebanon, TN
Job Purpose The Hoist and Automation Repair Technician repairs equipment including but not limited to:Manual and Electric chain hoists, Kinesys automation ... more
3 Days Ago
Alpha Integration
La Vergne, TN
Alpha Integration | La Vergne, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Alpha Integration, Inc. www.alphaintegration.com. La Vergne, TN. Job Description. Title. Machine Assembly Technician. Dep... more
4 Days Ago
Bravas
Nashville, TN
Bravas | Nashville, TN
Job Description. Job Description. About BRAVAS. At BRAVAS, we transform homes into extraordinary living experiences. As the nation’s #1 luxury technology i... more
5 Days Ago
Assurant
Mount Juliet, TN
Assurant | Mount Juliet, TN
Automation Maintenance Technician. The Automation Maintenance Technician is a skilled industrial worker who performs a variety of maintenance tasks across ... more
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