As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Controls Engineer in the United States is $68,162 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, an Entry Level Controls Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Level 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Controls Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Stationar... Level Entry Level Controls Engineer | $54,567 |
| Stationar... Level Entry Level Controls Engineer | $60,623 |
| Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Controls Engineer | $68,580 |
| Stationar... Level Entry Level Controls Engineer | $85,485 |
| Stationar... Level Entry Level Controls Engineer | $83,089 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Entry Level Controls Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 7.16% |
| Operation and Control | 3.38% |
| Water Testing | 2.28% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Risk Management
|
$81,112 |
19%
|
|
Chemistry
|
$80,431 |
18%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$72,933 |
7%
|
|
Automatic Control
|
$72,251 |
6%
|
|
Communicates Effectively
|
$70,888 |
4%
|
|
Initiative
|
$70,206 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Controls Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Level Controls Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $64,789 and $70,777).
Entry Level Controls Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 46.7% |
| High School | 46.7% |
| Associates | 26.7% |
| Bachelors | 26.7% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an Entry Level 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.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026Salaries for an Entry Level Controls Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,020 in 2023 to around $54,730 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Controls Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $55,020 |
| 2024 | $54,902 |
| 2025 | $54,730 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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