Controls electricians install, wire, program, and troubleshoot automated control systems: PLCs, HMIs, motor control centers, and instrumentation. The work sits where traditional electrical trade meets automation technology, and it pays among the highest wages in the field.
These roles span industrial manufacturing, process facilities, and commercial building automation, and demand keeps climbing.
At A Glance
Quick Facts
01
Typical Salary Range
$72,000 to $110,000 per year. PLC programmers with panel building experience often earn more.
Strong. Industrial automation investment is accelerating across manufacturing sectors.
05
Common Employers
System integrators, industrial manufacturers, EPC contractors, OEM equipment builders.
Market Demand
Why Demand Is Strong
Automation Investment Is Accelerating
Manufacturers are automating to address labor shortages and chase productivity gains, which directly drives demand for electricians who can both wire and program automated systems.
A Persistent Talent Shortage
Qualified controls technicians have been a long-running constraint for industrial facilities, and compensation has risen accordingly.
License Plus Programming Is Rare
Candidates who hold a journeyman license alongside PLC programming skills are especially hard to recruit, which strengthens their leverage.
Hiring Criteria
What Employers Are Looking For
Journeyman experience plus PLC ability. Most roles expect journeyman electrical experience combined with demonstrated PLC programming.
A major automation platform. Familiarity with at least one, most commonly Allen-Bradley or Siemens.
Panel building and schematics. Reading and interpreting electrical schematics is essential, not optional.
SCADA and industrial networking. Many employers value experience with SCADA systems and protocols such as EtherNet/IP or Profibus.
Instrumentation calibration. A frequently requested add-on skill.
Safety credentials. OSHA 30 and NFPA 70E are commonly required.
Common Questions
FAQ
How much do controls electricians earn?
Typical pay runs $72,000 to $110,000 per year, with PLC programmers who also build panels often earning above that range.
What platforms should I know?
Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens are the most commonly requested, with Mitsubishi, Schneider, and Beckhoff also in use across facilities.
What certifications are usually required?
OSHA 30 and NFPA 70E come up most often, typically on top of a journeyman license and PLC programming experience.
Who hires controls electricians?
System integrators, industrial manufacturers, EPC contractors, and OEM equipment builders are the most common employers.
