What this job is
Automation and controls technicians program and maintain the robots, PLCs, and vision systems that run a modern plant. Because they build and fix the automation itself, it is one of the most future-proof and fastest-growing skilled trades in manufacturing.
Will AI replace it?
Builds and maintains the automation itself; demand likely grows as plants automate. We rate it 8/10 for AI-resilience.
Where it's hiring now
- Automation / Controls Technician — Hadrian, Cherokee, AL ($31–$44/hr)
- Manufacturing / Automation Engineer — Hadrian, Cherokee, AL ($85,000–$115,000/yr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Lockheed Martin, Troy, AL ($31–$44/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Conagra, Fayetteville, AR ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — ERMCO, Maricopa County, AZ ($29.50–$42/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Collins Aerospace, Largo, FL ($31–$44/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — HMGMA, Bryan County, GA ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Pratt & Whitney, Columbus, GA ($31–$44/hr)
- Reliability / Automation Tech — Tyson Caseyville, Caseyville, IL ($25–$37/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Tyson Caseyville, Caseyville, IL ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — AbbVie, North Chicago, IL ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — CSL, Kankakee, IL ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Lilly Lebanon, Lebanon, IN ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Lilly Lebanon API, Lebanon, IN ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation Engineer — Lilly Lebanon API, Lebanon, IN ($95,000–$130,000/yr)
- Maintenance / Automation Technician — GE Appliances, Louisville, KY ($26–$36/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — GE Appliances, Louisville, KY ($26.50–$38/hr)
- Maintenance / Automation Technician — Chobani / La Colombe, Norton Shores, MI ($26–$38/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Chobani / La Colombe, Norton Shores, MI ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — J&J Wilson, Wilson, NC ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Siemens Mobility, Lexington, NC ($29.50–$42/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Toyota Battery NC, Liberty, NC ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Corning, Hickory, NC ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — BD, Columbus, NE ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Eaton, Bellevue, NE ($29.50–$42/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Micron NY, Clay (Syracuse), NY ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Oxbo, Bergen, NY ($26.50–$38/hr)
- Maintenance / Automation Technician — Schreiber Foods, Shippensburg, PA ($26–$37/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Schreiber Foods, Shippensburg, PA ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Boeing SC, North Charleston, SC ($31–$44/hr)
- Maintenance / Automation Technician — BMW Woodruff, Woodruff, SC ($28–$38/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — BMW Woodruff, Woodruff, SC ($30–$43/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Samsung Taylor, Taylor, TX ($32–$46/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — BAE Systems, Austin, TX ($31–$44/hr)
- Automation / Test Technician — Apple, Houston, TX ($30–$44/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Apple, Houston, TX ($30–$43/hr)
- Manufacturing / Automation Engineer — Apple, Houston, TX ($95,000–$140,000/yr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — L3Harris, Orange County, VA ($31–$44/hr)
- Automation / Controls Technician — Generac, Sussex, WI ($29.50–$42/hr)
Common questions
How much does a automation / controls technician make?
At the plants tracked here, pay runs about $26.50–$46/hr. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and experience; the figures shown are regional and industry benchmarks.
Do I need a degree to become a automation / controls technician?
Most postings list: HS + technical cert / Associate. Relevant certifications and training (PLC (Allen-Bradley), robotics, mechatronics) often matter as much as formal education.
Will AI or robots replace automation / controls technician jobs?
We score this role 8/10 for AI-resilience (10 = very unlikely to be automated). Builds and maintains the automation itself; demand likely grows as plants automate.
Where can I find automation / controls technician jobs right now?
39 of the new and expanding U.S. plants on Forge are hiring for this role. See the list on this page; each links to the company's application page.