Project Controls Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Controls Engineer I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Controls Engineer I in the United States is $94,139 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,615
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,397 to $100,146
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,259

Key Factors That Influence Project Controls Engineer I Salaries

A Project Controls Engineer 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 Project Controls Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Controls Engineer 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $93,698
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,845
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $123,733
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $151,387
  • Expert (over 8 years): $166,512
Levels Salary
Project C... Level Project Controls Engineer I$93,698
Control &... Level Project Controls Engineer I$108,845
Control &... Level Project Controls Engineer I$123,733
Control &... Level Project Controls Engineer I$151,387
Control &... Level Project Controls Engineer I$166,512

How Do Project Controls Engineer I 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 Project Controls Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $104,231.
  • California: $103,836.
  • Massachusetts: $102,452.

Top Paying Cities for Project Controls Engineer 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: $118,738
  • San Francisco: $117,438
  • Oakland: $114,963

What Skills Can Increase a Project Controls Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.27% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 2.53% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.27%
Schematic 2.53%
Calibration 2.04%

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 Project Controls Engineer I's salary.

  • Algorithms: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Control: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • System Requirements: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Algorithms $104,495
11%
Project Control $103,553
10%
System Requirements $103,553
10%

Project Controls Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Controls Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Project Controls Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Controls Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Controls Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$127,088$61.035%
Biotechnology$122,381$59.030%
Software & Networking$122,381$59.030%
Energy & Utilities$117,674$57.025%
Aerospace & Defense$112,967$54.020%

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

Understanding how a Project 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 October 01, 2026
$87,397
Average $94,139/year
$100,146
$7,283
Average $7,845/month
$8,346
$1,681
Average $1,810/week
$1,926
$42
Average $45/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,146 $8,346 $1,926 $48
Average $94,139 $7,845 $1,810 $45
25th Percentile $87,397 $7,283 $1,681 $42

Most common benefits for Project Controls Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Project Controls Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Project Controls Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Project Controls Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Controls Engineer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Controls Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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.)

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