As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automation Controls Technologist in California is $125,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, an Automation Controls Technologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Automation Controls Technologist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $135,300 | $11,275 | $2,602 | $65 |
| Average | $125,200 | $10,433 | $2,408 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,300 | $9,692 | $2,237 | $56 |
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An Automation Controls Technologist'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 Technologist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Automation Controls Technologist | $121,239 |
| Intermediate Level Automation Controls Technologist | $121,898 |
| Senior Level Automation Controls Technologist | $123,215 |
| Specialist Level Automation Controls Technologist | $127,008 |
| Expert Level Automation Controls Technologist | $130,491 |
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 Technologists. 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 Technologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,369. While startup companies pay approximate $118,829.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $118,829 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $125,640 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $135,586 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $140,369 |
For Automation Controls Technologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Automation Controls Technologist positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automation Controls Technologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $181,540 | $87.0 | 45% |
| Energy & Utilities | $162,760 | $78.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $156,500 | $75.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $150,240 | $72.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $143,980 | $69.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Automation Controls Technologist'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 | $135,300 | $11,275 | $2,602 | $65 |
| Average | $125,200 | $10,433 | $2,408 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,300 | $9,692 | $2,237 | $56 |
For an Automation Controls Technologist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Control Systems Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $164,900 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Automation Controls Technologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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