Project Controls Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Controls Engineer I in the United States is $94,120 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): $105,589
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,426 to $100,123
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,331
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View as table View as graph 25% $87,426 10% $81,331 90% $105,589 75% $100,123 $94,120 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Controls Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $100,123 $8,344 $1,925 $48
Average $94,120 $7,843 $1,810 $45
25th Percentile $87,426 $7,285 $1,681 $42
Check out Project Controls Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Senior Project Engineer

King Industries, Inc. - NORWALK, CT

Senior Controls Engineer

Marvin - FARGO, ND

Senior Controls Engineer

Marvin - SIOUX FALLS, SD

Senior Controls Engineer

Marvin - SAINT CLOUD, MN

Search More Project Controls Engineer I Jobs in the United States

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 I 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): $93,166
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,855
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,179
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $95,444
  • Expert (over 8 years): $95,621
Levels Salary
Entry Level Project Controls Engineer I$93,166
Intermediate Level Project Controls Engineer I$93,855
Senior Level Project Controls Engineer I$95,179
Specialist Level Project Controls Engineer I$95,444
Expert Level Project Controls Engineer I$95,621
$93,166 0 yr
$93,855 < 2 yrs
$95,179 2-4 yrs
$95,444 5-8 yrs
$95,621 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $104,210.
  • California: $103,814.
  • Massachusetts: $102,431.

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: $118,713
  • San Francisco: $117,546
  • Oakland: $114,939

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.
See More Skills
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
$104,473
11%
Project Control
$103,532
10%
System Requirements
$103,532
10%
Systems Architecture
$102,591
9%
Computer Engineering
$101,649
8%
Flexibility
$101,649
8%
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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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Project Controls Engineer I

Salaries for a Project Controls Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $76,268 in 2023 to around $75,249 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Controls Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Controls Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$76,268
2024
$75,829
2025
$75,249
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $76,268
2024 $75,829
2025 $75,249
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Project Controls Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Project Controls Engineer I

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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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