How to Become a Controls Technician in District of Columbia (2026)

Q: How much do controls technicians earn in District of Columbia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), controls technicians in District of Columbia earned a median annual wage of approximately $97,620 (using the related "Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians" BLS category, since controls technician wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in District of Columbia is roughly 0.56 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for controls technicians in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia currently employs approximately 240 workers in the related "Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

District of Columbia control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door earn a median annual wage of $98,810 ($47.50/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 50 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 32.9% above the national median of $74,340 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $98,810 ($47.50/hr)
25th percentile: $87,240 per year
75th percentile: $106,420 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $129,490 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $71,260 per year
Workers employed in District of Columbia: 50
Versus national median: 32.9% above the U.S. median of $74,340
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.22 - this occupation is less concentrated in District of Columbia than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

District of Columbia employs about 240 controls technicians earning a median $97,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians”). Most controls technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in District of Columbia.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, District of Columbia employs approximately 240 workers in the related “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians” category (SOC 17-3023), with a median annual wage of $97,620 ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 0.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,400 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Controls Technician in District of Columbia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track controls technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3023). Actual controls technician earnings may vary.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (District of Columbia): $97,620 per year (based on related “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians” category) ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Controls Technician in District of Columbia

How to become a Controls Technician in District of Columbia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for controls technicians in District of Columbia.

How long does it take? controls technician training length in District of Columbia varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do controls technicians earn in District of Columbia? The BLS does not track controls technician wages separately. Based on the related “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians” category, the median annual wage in District of Columbia is $97,620, with entry-level wages around $68,230 and experienced workers earning $140,670 or more ¹.

How to Become a Controls Technician in District of Columbia

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most District of Columbia training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved controls technician program in District of Columbia that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to controls technicians in District of Columbia before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Controls Technician Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians wages in District of Columbia vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	3,190	$82,559	$87,113	$58,485	$122,800

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for controls technicians in District of Columbia? District of Columbia employs approximately 240 workers in the related “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians” category ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 0.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in District of Columbia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in District of Columbia.

How much do controls technicians earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for controls technicians in District of Columbia is $97,620 (based on the related “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians” category), which is $20,440 above the national median of $77,180 according to BLS data ¹.

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)