As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Controls Design Engineer in the United States is $77,958 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Controls Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Controls Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $82,852 | $6,904 | $1,593 | $40 |
| Average | $77,958 | $6,496 | $1,499 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,232 | $6,186 | $1,428 | $36 |
A Controls Design 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 a Controls Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Controls ... Level Controls Design Engineer | $77,598 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $88,011 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $110,034 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $134,351 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $157,373 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 17.02% |
| Continuous Improvement | 0.88% |
| CNC | 0.49% |
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 Controls Design Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Square | $81,856 | |
| Networking | $81,856 | |
| Brand Design | $81,076 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Controls Design Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Controls Design Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,251 and $80,097).
| Typical Education for Controls Design Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 5.3% |
| Associates | 10.6% |
| Bachelors | 56.2% |
| Masters | 25.2% |
| Doctorate | 2.5% |
Understanding how a Controls Design 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 | $82,852 | $6,904 | $1,593 | $40 |
| Average | $77,958 | $6,496 | $1,499 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,232 | $6,186 | $1,428 | $36 |
Salaries for a Controls Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,122 in 2023 to around $80,497 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Controls Design Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $81,122 |
| 2024 | $81,248 |
| 2025 | $80,497 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Controls Design Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.
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