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Control & Instrument Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Control & Instrument Technician I make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,899
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,046 to $86,483
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,407

Key Factors That Influence Control & Instrument Technician I Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Control & Instrument Technician I Salaries?

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:

  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Control & Instrument Technician I1-3 years$79,436
Control & Instrument Technician II3-5 years$87,995
Control & Instrument Technician III5-7 years$97,096
Control & Instrument Engineering Manager7+ years$167,353

Top Paying Cities for Control & Instrument Technician Is

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: $100,193
  • San Francisco: $99,096
  • Oakland: $97,007

Control & Instrument Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

Control & Instrument Technician I Salary by Company Size

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

Control & Instrument Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Control & Instrument 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, Control & Instrument Technician positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Control & Instrument Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Control & Instrument Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$111,210$53.040%
Energy & Utilities$103,267$50.030%
Pharmaceuticals$99,295$48.025%
Aerospace & Defense$95,323$46.020%
Healthcare$91,351$44.015%

Control & Instrument Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$71,046
Average $79,436/year
$86,483
$5,921
Average $6,620/month
$7,207
$1,366
Average $1,528/week
$1,663
$34
Average $38/hour
$42
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

Control & Instrument Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Most common benefits for Control & Instrument Technician I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Control & Instrument Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Control & Instrument Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Control & Instrument Technician I

1. Where can a Control & Instrument Technician I earn the most?

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.

2. What is the highest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I?

The highest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I is $92,899.

3. What is the lowest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I?

The lowest pay for Control & Instrument Technician I is $63,407.

4. What are the responsibilities of Control & Instrument Technician I?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Control & Instrument Technician I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Control & Instrument Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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