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Electrical Controls Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Controls Engineer make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Controls Engineer in the United States is $101,401 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, an Electrical Controls Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,025
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,701 to $119,001
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,407
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View as table View as graph 25% $85,701 10% $71,407 90% $135,025 75% $119,001 $101,401 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Electrical Controls Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $119,001 $9,917 $2,288 $57
Average $101,401 $8,450 $1,950 $49
25th Percentile $85,701 $7,142 $1,648 $41
Check out Electrical Controls Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Industrial Controls Engineer

RIX INDUSTRIES - GREENBRAE, NV

Electrical Engineer II

Raytheon - PIMA, AZ

Electrical Equipment Design and Installation Engineer

Boeing - NORTH CHARLESTON, SC

Electrical Engineer

Bowhead / UIC Technical Services - DAHLGREN, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Electrical Controls Engineer Salaries

An Electrical Controls Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Controls Engineers

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:

  • San Jose: $127,801
  • San Francisco: $126,601
  • Oakland: $123,801

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Controls Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • System Integration (Mentioned in 2.81% Job Postings): The process of creating a complex information system that may include designing or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new or existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications.
  • System Design (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Systems design is the process of defining elements of a system like modules, architecture, components and their interfaces and data for a system based on the specified requirements.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.26%
System Integration 2.81%
System Design 1.75%

Electrical Controls Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electrical Controls Engineer'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.

Last Updated on March 01, 2026

Electrical Controls Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Electrical Controls Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Electrical Controls Engineer Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $122,001 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Electrical Controls Engineer

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Electrical Controls Engineer

1. What is the highest paid type of electrical engineer?

The highest paid type of electrical engineer is typically the Electrical Controls Engineer, with a salary range from $83,601 to $116,001, and a mid-salary of $98,801. Other high-paying roles include Instrumentation Engineer and Electrical Design Engineer, but Electrical Controls Engineers often command top salaries in the field.

2. Is Controls Engineering in demand?

Yes, Controls Engineering is in high demand due to the increasing need for automation and system optimization. Pursuing a career in this field can be both strategic and rewarding, with salaries ranging from $83,601 to $116,001, depending on experience and expertise. This trend is expected to continue as industries seek to enhance efficiency and productivity.

3. Which profession has highest salary in USA?

The highest-paying jobs in the USA include positions like physicians, surgeons, and anesthetists, with salaries often exceeding $297,626 per year. In the engineering field, an Electrical Controls Engineer earns between $83,601 and $116,001 annually, with a median salary of $98,801, reflecting the competitive compensation in specialized technical roles.

4. Do controls engineers get paid well?

Yes, controls engineers are well-compensated. Based on current salary data, the minimum salary for an Electrical Controls Engineer is approximately $83,601, with a mid-range salary of about $98,801 and a maximum salary reaching $116,001. This indicates a strong earning potential in the field.

5. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Engineers typically earning around $200,000 a year often hold senior or specialized positions. Examples include Senior ASIC Verification Engineer, Security AI Engineer, and Sr. Software Development Engineer. In contrast, Electrical Controls Engineers have a salary range of $83,601 to $116,001, with a mid-salary of $98,801, indicating that higher earnings are generally associated with more advanced roles or industries.

6. What does an electrical engineer do?

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, including electric motors, radar systems, and power generation equipment. They also work on the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft. The salary for an Electrical Controls Engineer typically ranges from $83,601 to $116,001, with a mid-level salary of $98,801.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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