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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instrumentation & Controls Engineer in Virginia is $54,666 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, an Instrumentation & Controls Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,562 | $4,964 | $1,145 | $29 |
| Average | $54,666 | $4,556 | $1,051 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,418 | $4,035 | $931 | $23 |
Appomattox River Water Authority - Petersburg, VA
ASR INTERNATIONAL - Hoopes Landing, VA
Electra - Manassas, VA
Amazon - Brandy, VA
An Instrumentation & Controls Engineer'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.
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 Instrumentation & Controls Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Instrumentation & Controls Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Instrumentation & Controls Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $60,133 | $29.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $60,133 | $29.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $60,133 | $29.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $60,133 | $29.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $60,133 | $29.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Instrumentation & 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $59,562 | $4,964 | $1,145 | $29 |
| Average | $54,666 | $4,556 | $1,051 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,418 | $4,035 | $931 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Instrumentation & Controls Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Amazon Data Services, Inc.
Brandy, VA
Amazon Data Services, Inc. | Brandy, VA
As part of the global controls team, you will work with highly motivated experts and innovators in the data center industry. You will be responsible for tr... more
7 Days Ago
Amazon Data Services, Inc.
Herndon, VA
Amazon Data Services, Inc. | Herndon, VA
As part of the global controls team, you will work with highly motivated experts and innovators in the data center industry. You will be responsible for tr... more
7 Days Ago
Havtech LLC
Henrico, VA
Havtech LLC | Henrico, VA
Job Description. Job Description. ABOUT US. Providing innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions to building owners and contract... more
8 Days Ago
Havtech LLC
Norfolk, VA
Havtech LLC | Norfolk, VA
Job Description. Job Description. ABOUT US. Providing innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions to building owners and contract... more
8 Days Ago
Amazon
Falmouth, VA
Amazon | Falmouth, VA
Amazon seeks a Data Center Controls Engineer to support critical infrastructure for its global retail and cloud businesses. In this role, you will design, ... more
8 Days Ago
Amazon
Herndon, VA
Amazon | Herndon, VA
Amazon is seeking a Sr. Controls Engineer to lead the design, integration, and optimization of automated systems that power our large-scale retail and e‑co... more
8 Days Ago
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