Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Automation Controls Technician in Virginia is $86,150 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, an Automation Controls Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI Onboarding
Automation Controls Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,418 | $7,868 | $1,816 | $45 |
| Average | $86,150 | $7,179 | $1,657 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,209 | $6,517 | $1,504 | $38 |
DOSWELL OPERATING GROUP - Richmond, VA
Perdue Farms - Bridgewater, VA
Boar's Head - Petersburg, VA
Trane Technologies - Ashland, VA
An Automation Controls Technician'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 Automation Controls Technicians. 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 Automation Controls Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 97% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Automation Controls Technician positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automation Controls Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $124,918 | $60.0 | 45% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $116,303 | $56.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $110,272 | $53.0 | 28% |
| Energy & Utilities | $101,657 | $49.0 | 18% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $96,488 | $46.0 | 12% |
Understanding how an Automation Controls Technician'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 | $94,418 | $7,868 | $1,816 | $45 |
| Average | $86,150 | $7,179 | $1,657 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,209 | $6,517 | $1,504 | $38 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Automation Controls Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Appomattox River Water Authority
Petersburg, VA
Appomattox River Water Authority | Petersburg, VA
Job Description. Job Description. I. POSITION TITLE: INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROLS TECHNICIAN. . LOCATION: PLANT. . II. DEFINITION. Perform routine to skilled... more
6 Days Ago
Amazon
Herndon, VA
Amazon | Herndon, VA
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep ... more
8 Days Ago
CPG
Ashburn, VA
CPG | Ashburn, VA
Position:Controls Technician IILocation:19775 Belmont Executive PlazaSuite 200Ashburn, VAJob Id:923# of Openings:1TITLE: CONTROLS TECHNICIAN IILOCATION: As... more
8 Days Ago
Liberty Personnel Services, Inc
Henrico, VA
Liberty Personnel Services, Inc | Henrico, VA
Job Description. Job Description. HVAC Controls Service ( Building Automation ) - Sign on Bonus. Strong understanding of mechanical systems and controls, w... more
8 Days Ago
Johnson Controls
Arlington, VA
Johnson Controls | Arlington, VA
Job Description. \n. Job Description. \n. \n. \n. We are seeking an HVAC Controls Technician (Building Automation Technician) to join our Federal Systems t... more
27 Days Ago
Ecruit
Centreville, VA
Ecruit | Centreville, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Ready to Develop the future of water. Industrial Controls Technician I/II. Industrial Controls Technician I. Grade 9. $74... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
