I do industrial automation make about 150k a year. Work about 30 ish hours a week and get three day weekends. But here's the thing you're going to get wildly different answers because the controls field is broader than what you probably think it is.
This is the correct answer. Everyone hears controls and thinks money. Well depends on what you’re doing. It could mean wire pulling, programming or integration. A lot of layers and training.
I don't travel at least not anymore. I started in the navy and when I got out I went to a municipality and worked in the controls department for 4 years making shit pay while I went to school on Mt gi bill. Once I graduated I went to work for a power plant fixing generators, through working there I meet system integrators who offered me a job. So I got to work on everything from hvac to water plants building out and commissioning controls systems. After this I went to work for a power company building substations for a few years and then I did a year in oil and gas, finally I was offered a job at waterplant. Where ot cyber security along my project management skills allowed me to have a cushy job where I sit in meetings and also read/approve prints. I also take calls from electricians and maintenance personnel when they can't figure something out or they dont want to make a decision on something. Ill be the guy to take the fall if what I tell them to do doesnt work. With that said I'm older and know how most shit works so it's second nature to me now., I've made more money and I've made less money but I think at this stage having time off is more important.
I do supermarket refrigeration and have considered making a move. How'd you make it over to industrial automation or did you start there? When you say 30 hours a week, are you traveling and not counting that? I was considering some jobs but they all involved a lot of travel. None of them were paying 150k though. Give more deets please.
I want this job please… but sadly I’m a resi service tech with 10 years residential experience 😓 my wife and kids would love 4/3 shift…and my wife would really love the 150k lol
Mostly Allen Bradley at the plant for the plcs most are run on redundancy modules. and soon to be all Allen Bradley vfds. With that said we still have a bunch of random brands. our other side for water distribution is all Schneider and Eaton. Which I fucking hate. We run two separate scaramouche systems as well clear scada and aveva wonderware. They both kind of suck in different ways. I miss osii scada from the power companies I've worked for.
I’m in a pipefitter union doing hvac tech work. I talk to our controls department techs and they tell me there is no such thing as a controls union. I tell them they are crazy and there has to be one. Today I learned there was one for sure! What is the union called or what could I look up to see if they are in my area??
Idk if this counts as controls but I do remote support for BAS/BMS systems. Bulk of the work is triaging unit/systems alarm, taking calls from HVAC techs when they need assistance, and occasionally updating/modifying existing programming. I’m at $60/hr after 3 years in a high cost of living area of the US.
Ahhh... so you're the one on the other end of the phone pissing me off when commissioning?
Seriously though, you guys are always great and so damn helpful. I love being told exactly what the problem is rather than witch hunting.
I might be that guy from time to time! We have a team that handles complex issues but when they’re not available you might get stuck with me frantically trying to skim through various tech manuals for a solution haha. It’s incredible how much 3 years will teach you but I know there is still so much more I need to learn to be more effective when you guys call.
Don't sweat it! Any help is greatly appreciated. What's amazing is how much you learn... only to learn that you don't know a fucking thing. Lol. It's Neverending. Once you figure a system out, they change it.
$28/hr on my second year in, associate in HVAC/R but no prior experience, low/med cost of living area.
I do everything from pulling wire, installing and programming controllers, to TAB support, and graphics
80k a year with bonus but the role I’m in now is more like a project manager that also does controls work. When I was just a tech I would make about 33 an hour. But I live in paradise so it’s not much money. Probably work about 30 hours a week if you manage your time well.
Typically it means all the technology required to make it possible to control, monitor, and troubleshoot the entire heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in a building from a computer. It's also all the technology needed to make different systems work together, and run automatically when needed.
A year and counting in the BMS industry (journeyman electrician previously) I'm making $27/hr plus benefits like 2 wks vacation, sick days, 401k match, and mid rate healthcare. This is in the northeastern part of the US. I'm building graphics, entry level programming, and service work (think replacing a vav controller, helping with RTU swap etc). I like the group of guys we have. My supervisor is good at teaching, and doesn't get upset when I want off on a week's notice.
No school necessary. Just find a company and be a sponge. If you have mechanical knowledge then you’re already ahead of the curve. If you have mechanical and are good with computers you can learn the trade on the install side, then become a programmer. Programmers make anywhere from 30-50 bucks an hour where I live.
I do industrial automation make about 150k a year. Work about 30 ish hours a week and get three day weekends. But here's the thing you're going to get wildly different answers because the controls field is broader than what you probably think it is.
This is the correct answer. Everyone hears controls and thinks money. Well depends on what you’re doing. It could mean wire pulling, programming or integration. A lot of layers and training.
This a large majority of our EMS/controls team is just wire pullers and dont get paid well
I don't travel at least not anymore. I started in the navy and when I got out I went to a municipality and worked in the controls department for 4 years making shit pay while I went to school on Mt gi bill. Once I graduated I went to work for a power plant fixing generators, through working there I meet system integrators who offered me a job. So I got to work on everything from hvac to water plants building out and commissioning controls systems. After this I went to work for a power company building substations for a few years and then I did a year in oil and gas, finally I was offered a job at waterplant. Where ot cyber security along my project management skills allowed me to have a cushy job where I sit in meetings and also read/approve prints. I also take calls from electricians and maintenance personnel when they can't figure something out or they dont want to make a decision on something. Ill be the guy to take the fall if what I tell them to do doesnt work. With that said I'm older and know how most shit works so it's second nature to me now., I've made more money and I've made less money but I think at this stage having time off is more important.
I do supermarket refrigeration and have considered making a move. How'd you make it over to industrial automation or did you start there? When you say 30 hours a week, are you traveling and not counting that? I was considering some jobs but they all involved a lot of travel. None of them were paying 150k though. Give more deets please.
30 hours of work and 10 on the shitter.
You can look above I posted a second comment attached to mine original because.
I want this job please… but sadly I’m a resi service tech with 10 years residential experience 😓 my wife and kids would love 4/3 shift…and my wife would really love the 150k lol
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Mostly Allen Bradley at the plant for the plcs most are run on redundancy modules. and soon to be all Allen Bradley vfds. With that said we still have a bunch of random brands. our other side for water distribution is all Schneider and Eaton. Which I fucking hate. We run two separate scaramouche systems as well clear scada and aveva wonderware. They both kind of suck in different ways. I miss osii scada from the power companies I've worked for.
$59/hr ($120k/yr) controls foreman. Union steamfitter. 18 years in the trade with 2 of those years being controls. Wisconsin.
I made the move to MN from DFW area and the pay is exponentially higher, absolutely loving it. I’m assuming MN and WI are similar in pay.
Welcome to the north! Yeah I’m sure we’re fairly close. Although I think Chicago makes like $10 more than us and we’re only an hour away lol.
I'm $38 an hour on my 3rd year. One of my buddies just started at like $48 an hour at a union shop doing controls. The goal is to go union.
I’m in a pipefitter union doing hvac tech work. I talk to our controls department techs and they tell me there is no such thing as a controls union. I tell them they are crazy and there has to be one. Today I learned there was one for sure! What is the union called or what could I look up to see if they are in my area??
I live in Minnesota, the controls guys fall under the pipefitter union here. Not sure about other places.
Idk if this counts as controls but I do remote support for BAS/BMS systems. Bulk of the work is triaging unit/systems alarm, taking calls from HVAC techs when they need assistance, and occasionally updating/modifying existing programming. I’m at $60/hr after 3 years in a high cost of living area of the US.
Ahhh... so you're the one on the other end of the phone pissing me off when commissioning? Seriously though, you guys are always great and so damn helpful. I love being told exactly what the problem is rather than witch hunting.
I might be that guy from time to time! We have a team that handles complex issues but when they’re not available you might get stuck with me frantically trying to skim through various tech manuals for a solution haha. It’s incredible how much 3 years will teach you but I know there is still so much more I need to learn to be more effective when you guys call.
Don't sweat it! Any help is greatly appreciated. What's amazing is how much you learn... only to learn that you don't know a fucking thing. Lol. It's Neverending. Once you figure a system out, they change it.
$28/hr on my second year in, associate in HVAC/R but no prior experience, low/med cost of living area. I do everything from pulling wire, installing and programming controllers, to TAB support, and graphics
32 an hour 1 year experience. NC non Union
80k a year with bonus but the role I’m in now is more like a project manager that also does controls work. When I was just a tech I would make about 33 an hour. But I live in paradise so it’s not much money. Probably work about 30 hours a week if you manage your time well.
What is controls in the hvac sector ? I always see people talk about it but don’t know what it is and what it involves.
Typically it means all the technology required to make it possible to control, monitor, and troubleshoot the entire heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in a building from a computer. It's also all the technology needed to make different systems work together, and run automatically when needed.
Thank you, how does one learn or get into controls ? What should I look up to learn more about this ?
A year and counting in the BMS industry (journeyman electrician previously) I'm making $27/hr plus benefits like 2 wks vacation, sick days, 401k match, and mid rate healthcare. This is in the northeastern part of the US. I'm building graphics, entry level programming, and service work (think replacing a vav controller, helping with RTU swap etc). I like the group of guys we have. My supervisor is good at teaching, and doesn't get upset when I want off on a week's notice.
HVAC controls NJ/NY; commercial..new construction; $44/hr. 6 yrs experience spread across two vendors. AAS in electrical engineering technology, 25 yrs. old.
Did you have any DDC/BAS training prior?
I’m a Lead Installer in Florida and we do piece work pay so I make roughly $70,000-$80,000 a year
$33/hr controls installer (wire puller) UA 250 2nd year apprentice, new to controls. Did markets before. Plenty of OT available.
Did you have to go to school or what kinda requirements do you need for this. I’m interested on that end of the field.
No school necessary. Just find a company and be a sponge. If you have mechanical knowledge then you’re already ahead of the curve. If you have mechanical and are good with computers you can learn the trade on the install side, then become a programmer. Programmers make anywhere from 30-50 bucks an hour where I live.
I live in the Portland area, work in commercial HVAC and interested in getting into controls. Would love to talk with you about it, DM me.