Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Controls Engineer salary in US
A Controls Engineer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Controls Engineer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $59,336 to $131,703 per year, based on 8,719 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Controls Engineer in US can make a salary range of $56,764 to $123,071 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 3,316 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Controls Engineer gets the highest compensation are Food Management Search, SMA, Inc. and Los Alamos National Security, LLC. Bigger companies typically pay 35.00% more than smaller companies for a Controls Engineer.
Recent salaries shared by Control Engineer
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Controls Engineer
|
10-14 years
$203K/yr
($153K • $50K)
Herndon, VA
submitted on Jun 26, 2026
$203K/yr
$153K • $50K
Controls Engineer
|
1-3 years
$87K - $102K/yr
Fremont, CA
submitted on Jun 26, 2026
$87K - $102K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
15+ years
$102K - $118K/yr
Sheboygan, WI
submitted on Jun 25, 2026
$102K - $118K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
10-14 years
$108K - $124K/yr
Auburn Hills, MI
submitted on Jun 24, 2026
$108K - $124K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
4-6 years
$105K/yr
($105K • $0)
Illiopolis, IL
submitted on Jun 23, 2026
$105K/yr
$105K • $0
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Controls Engineer
|
1-3 years
$70K - $82K/yr
Fort Worth, TX
submitted on Jun 22, 2026
$70K - $82K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
1-3 years
$101K - $118K/yr
Houston, TX
submitted on Jun 20, 2026
$101K - $118K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
7-9 years
$117K - $135K/yr
Toledo, OH
submitted on Jun 19, 2026
$117K - $135K/yr
Controls Engineer
|
1-3 years
$94K/yr
($86K • $8K)
Manteno, IL
submitted on Jun 19, 2026
$94K/yr
$86K • $8K
Controls Engineer
|
1-3 years
$108K/yr
($103K • $5K)
Thousand Oaks, CA
submitted on Jun 17, 2026
$108K/yr
$103K • $5K
Viewing 11 - 20 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 3 paying industries for Control Engineer in United States are Manufacturing with a median total pay of $106,177, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $103,256 and Information Technology with a median total pay of $98,195.
Frequently asked questions about Controls Engineer salaries
The average salary for Controls Engineer is $116,554 per year or $56 per hour, with top earners making up to $177,861 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $93,980 (25th percentile) to $145,953 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 7574 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Controls Engineer employees.
The highest salary for Controls Engineer is $145,953 per year, $12,163 per month or $70 per hour.
The lowest salary for Controls Engineer is $93,980 per year, $7,832 per month or $45 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Controls Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $117,866 per year (estimate) and goes up to $208,169 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Around 72% of engineers in this position are pleased with their earnings. If you need to figure out whether a controls engineer salary counts as good money, look into extras the employer offers. Bonuses, stock options, and profit sharing can bring in an extra $20,122.60.
A controls engineer salary usually ranges from $89,350.57 to $189,262.33; the average professional earns $108,817.74. If your position offers the chance to earn bonuses or participate in profit sharing, your total compensation could jump to $128,940.34. Assuming that you're sticking to the usual career path for a controls engineer, you're likely to make more in senior and lead engineering jobs.
Many controls engineer jobs require a bachelor's degree; earning a master's or Ph.D in electrical engineering or computer engineering is one way to bump up your salary. If you don't want an advanced degree, consider becoming more proficient in the most common coding languages in your company or specialty area; examples include Codesys, MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, and Python. You can also learn more about plant automation programs such as DeltaV.
Controls engineers often need high-level knowledge of federal, state, and city regulations. Become a more valuable employee by staying updated on current rules, or take a course to earn UL certifications that are relevant to your position.
If you're a current or aspiring controls engineer, negotiating is all about demonstrating your worth to the company. If you have professional engineering experience — either in controls or a related field, such as electrical or mechanical engineering — explain how your skills and expertise enable you to exceed performance standards in the new position. Do the same for your plant automation, computer programming, and control systems software skills.
How much does a controls engineer make when they have a successful salary negotiation? It varies based on how your experience and current salary compare to the local standard for controls engineer jobs, but you can often ask for 15% to 20% increase.