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Electrical Controls Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Controls Engineer I in the United States is $81,591 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,277 to $86,964
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,706
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Controls Engineer I Salaries

An Electrical Controls Engineer I'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.

How Do Electrical Controls Engineer Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Electrical Controls Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $90,338.
  • California: $89,995.
  • Massachusetts: $88,796.

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Controls Engineer I

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: $102,911
  • San Francisco: $101,784
  • Oakland: $99,639

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.3% 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.
  • Power Distribution (Mentioned in 2.65% Job Postings): Electric power distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electric power; it carries electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers.
  • Ethernet (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Ethernet is the traditional technology for connecting devices in a wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). It enables devices to communicate with each other via a protocol, which is a set of rules or common network language.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.3%
Power Distribution 2.65%
Ethernet 1.52%
See More Skills

Electrical Controls Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electrical Controls Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,591. While startup companies pay approximate $81,591.

Electrical Controls Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $81,591
Growth Stage 51~500 $81,591
Established 501~5000 $81,591
Enterprise 5000+ $81,591

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

Understanding how an Electrical Controls Engineer 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 August 01, 2026
$73,277
Average $81,591/year
$86,964
$6,106
Average $6,799/month
$7,247
$1,409
Average $1,569/week
$1,672
$35
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,964 $7,247 $1,672 $42
Average $81,591 $6,799 $1,569 $39
25th Percentile $73,277 $6,106 $1,409 $35

Electrical Controls Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Electrical Controls Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For an Electrical Controls Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Electrical Controls Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $102,219 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Electrical Controls Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Electrical Controls Engineer I

1. Where can an Electrical Controls Engineer I earn the most?

An Electrical Controls Engineer 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, an Electrical Controls Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Electrical Controls Engineer I is $102,911.

2. What is the highest pay for Electrical Controls Engineer I?

The highest pay for Electrical Controls Engineer I is $91,856.

3. What is the lowest pay for Electrical Controls Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Electrical Controls Engineer I is $65,706.

4. What are the responsibilities of Electrical Controls Engineer I?

Designs, develops, and supervises all aspects of electrical control systems, equipment, and machinery. May be responsible for the installation and technical support of PLC based hardware and software. Requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.

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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