As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Control & Instrument Technician I in the United States is $79,436 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Control & Instrument Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Control & Instrument Technician I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $86,483 | $7,207 | $1,663 | $42 |
| Average | $79,436 | $6,620 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,046 | $5,921 | $1,366 | $34 |
A Control & Instrument 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 a Control & Instrument 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Control & Instrument Technician I | 1-3 years | $79,436 |
| Control & Instrument Technician II | 3-5 years | $87,995 |
| Control & Instrument Technician III | 5-7 years | $97,096 |
| Control & Instrument Engineering Manager | 7+ years | $167,353 |
Control & Instrument Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,987. While startup companies pay approximate $75,349.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $75,349 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $79,663 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $85,950 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $88,987 |
Understanding how a Control & Instrument 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 | $86,483 | $7,207 | $1,663 | $42 |
| Average | $79,436 | $6,620 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,046 | $5,921 | $1,366 | $34 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Control & Instrument Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Control & Instrument Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $87,995 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Salaries for a Control & Instrument Technician I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $61,618 in 2023 to around $61,919 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Control & Instrument Technician I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $61,618 |
| 2024 | $62,094 |
| 2025 | $61,919 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Control & Instrument Technician I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Control & Instrument Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Control & Instrument Technician I is $100,193.
The highest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I is $92,899.
The lowest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I is $63,407.
Supports the engineering design and development of electrical control and automation systems and devices. Provides setup, configuration, troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems and prototypes. Assists with testing of systems, devices, and instruments. Documents testing procedures, and measures and records performance results following established methods. Maintains the inventory of supplies and tools used for testing and maintenance. Typically requires an associate degree in engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Control & Instrument Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: