Controls Engineer, Sr Salary in the United States

How much does a Controls Engineer, Sr make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Controls Engineer, Sr in the United States is $121,813 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,721
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,264 to $131,710
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,481
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View as table View as graph 25% $113,264 10% $105,481 90% $140,721 75% $131,710 $121,813 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Controls Engineer, Sr Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $131,710 $10,976 $2,533 $63
Average $121,813 $10,151 $2,343 $59
25th Percentile $113,264 $9,439 $2,178 $54
Check out Controls Engineer, Sr Job Openings in the United States
Sr. Supply Chain Engineer

Mclane Company, Inc. - ROCKY MOUNT, NC

Senior Controls Engineer

Lincoln Electric - PLYMOUTH, MI

Senior Controls Engineer-Hardware Design

Lincoln Electric - PLYMOUTH, MI

Controls Engineer

Lincoln Electric - EUCLID, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Controls Engineer, Sr Salaries

A Controls Engineer, Sr'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 Controls Engineer, Sr Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Controls Engineer, Sr'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $117,239
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,880
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,162
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,831
  • Expert (over 8 years): $126,179
Levels Salary
Entry Level Controls Engineer, Sr$117,239
Intermediate Level Controls Engineer, Sr$117,880
Senior Level Controls Engineer, Sr$119,162
Specialist Level Controls Engineer, Sr$122,831
Expert Level Controls Engineer, Sr$126,179
$117,239 0 yr
$117,880 < 2 yrs
$119,162 2-4 yrs
$122,831 5-8 yrs
$126,179 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Controls Engineer, Sr 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 Controls Engineer, Srs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $134,871.
  • California: $134,360.
  • Massachusetts: $132,569.

Top Paying Cities for Controls Engineer, Srs

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: $153,643
  • San Francisco: $152,132
  • Oakland: $148,758

What Skills Can Increase a Controls Engineer, Sr's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.55% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • System Requirements (Mentioned in 3.55% Job Postings): System requirements is a statement that identifies the functionality that is needed by a system in order to satisfy the customer's requirements. System requirements are a broad and also narrow subject that could be implemented to many items.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.55%
System Requirements 3.55%
Computer Science 1.84%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Controls Engineer, Sr's salary.
  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility and Adaptability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Tableau
$136,431
12%
Flexibility and Adaptability
$129,122
6%
Machine Learning
$129,122
6%
Emotional Intelligence
$127,904
5%
Deep Learning
$127,904
5%
Algorithms
$127,904
5%
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Controls Engineer, Sr Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Controls Engineer, Sr'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Controls Engineer, Sr

Salaries for a Controls Engineer, Sr can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $110,884 in 2023 to around $109,131 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Controls Engineer, Sr salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Controls Engineer, Sr Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$110,884
2024
$110,345
2025
$109,131
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $110,884
2024 $110,345
2025 $109,131
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Controls Engineer, Sr

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