Controls Technician
I3-02I3 Controls and automation · Skilled level · O*NET 17-3023.00
- this level, from
Texas A&M System (system-wide pay plan) pay range, 2023 older - $19.57/h
- work over
40 h a week - 14%
- load index
from O*NET data - 2.1/5
- Texas jobs
2024 to 2034 - +5.6%
Pay
This level's pay (published records that name this rung)
Public employer pay plan Texas A&M System (system-wide pay plan) pay range, 2023 older
$19.57-$39.99/h (range minimum to maximum), Utilities Control Systems Technician, Texas, effective 2023-09-01 Source
About $40,706 a year at 2,080 h (40 h x 52 weeks, no overtime).
Pay range for that public employer's own classified jobs; not private-sector pay.
$19.57-$54.43/h, lowest to highest figure in 3 current record(s) from 1 document(s). Minimum rates and pay ranges from different documents and areas; not a distribution.
All pay records and context (3)
- Texas A&M System (system-wide pay plan) pay range, 2023: $19.57 to $39.99/h, Utilities Control Systems Technician, Texas (A&M System members; the System Level structure is the Texas/US median level, local and major-market structures are -5% / +5%), effective 2023-09-01 older source
- Texas A&M System (system-wide pay plan) pay range, 2023: $24.12 to $49.27/h, Senior Utilities Control Systems Technician, Texas (A&M System members; the System Level structure is the Texas/US median level, local and major-market structures are -5% / +5%), effective 2023-09-01 older source
- Texas A&M System (system-wide pay plan) pay range, 2023: $26.64 to $54.43/h, Master Utilities Control Systems Technician, Texas (A&M System members; the System Level structure is the Texas/US median level, local and major-market structures are -5% / +5%), effective 2023-09-01 older source
Whole occupation: all Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Texas BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000017302313 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 8,960 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000017302301).
BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000017302313 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 8,960 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000017302301).
Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, not level-specific TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- Texas
- +5.6% jobs · about 780 openings a year (8,040 jobs in 2024)
- United States
- +0.6% jobs · about 8,400 openings a year (93,700 jobs in 2024)
Openings include people retiring or changing jobs, not only growth.
Hours O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2026, n = 24 respondents, O*NET OnLine
O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2026, n = 24 respondents, O*NET OnLine
Schedule: regular 85% · irregular 15% · seasonal 0%
Physical load 2.1 of 5, our index from O*NET Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (2, 6 measures) and an exposure index (2.11, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (2, 6 measures) and an exposure index (2.11, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Body
- Standing2.98
- Walking or running2.25
- Kneeling or crawling2.01
- Bending or twisting1.93
- Climbing ladders1.75
- Keeping balance1.09
Exposure
- Hazardous conditions2.58
- Outdoors, all weather2.31
- Hazardous equipment2.28
- Protective gear2.26
- High places1.83
- Very hot or cold1.79
- Cramped space1.7
Getting in
- License
- Texas: power wiring needs a TDLR electrician license unless exempt: plant employees in petrochemical and oil and gas (1305.003(a)(14)), low-voltage controls (a)(12), in-house maintenance (a)(8).
- Degree
- 15% hold a bachelor's or higher; most common: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years of related experience is the most common answer (58% of workers).
O*NET
- O*NET Related Work Experience, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, O*NET OnLine
- Preparation
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Why this level
- Skilled: O*NET Job Zone 3 (1-2 start, 3-4 skilled, 5 senior). Rung 2 of 4 on 'Controls and automation'.
Next stop I3 Controls Engineer +$55,400 a year, Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels
Gates: Needs a degree: most people in the target job hold a bachelor's or higher (O*NET: 89%). Most people in the target job have over 4 years, up to and including 6 years of related work experience (O*NET: 30%).
Moves to the side 6
- I Robotic Technician O*NET lists Robotics Technicians as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.92.
- I Industrial Electrical Equipment Technician O*NET lists Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.87.
- M Electronic Design Engineer O*NET lists Electronics Engineers, Except Computer as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86.
- I Mechanical Engineering Technician O*NET lists Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86.
What the work is 6 core tasks
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Assemble, test, or maintain circuitry or electronic components, according to engineering instructions, technical manuals, or knowledge of electronics, using hand or power tools.
- Maintain system logs or manuals to document testing or operation of equipment.
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
Core tasks ranked by O*NET task Importance (IM, 1-5), top 6.
Top skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Systems Evaluation
- Monitoring
Sources (5)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000017302313, read 2026-10-03
- Public employer pay plan: Texas A&M System-wide Pay Plan: Master Title Table, read 2026-10-03
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), 17-3023.00 Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, read 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Engineer Tsai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 · O*NET license
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Base pay; excludes overtime. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (United States) and Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024-2034, read through Projections Central.
