Career comparison
Control Valve Technician vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Control valve technicians earn more at the median ($74,340 vs. $74,090), while control valve technicians usually get to work faster (Months to years of training of training). Control valve technicians install, test and repair the valves that control flow in plants and pipelines. Industrial electronics repairers repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Control Valve Technician | Industrial Electronics Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,340 ($35.74/hr) | $74,090 ($35.62/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,910 – $112,500 | $46,840 – $105,590 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.3% (about as fast as average) | +0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 3,600 | 4,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | Months to years of training | Training program plus a year or more on the job |
| Key credential | Manufacturer valve training | ETA Certified Electronics Technician |
| Work setting | Technicians work in plants, shops and along pipelines.. | Repairers work in factories, repair shops and field service.. |
What each job does
Control Valve Technician
- Install valves
- Repair valves
- Calibrate actuators
- Test regulators
- Maintain gas meters
Industrial Electronics Repairer
- Troubleshoot control systems
- Repair circuit boards
- Replace components
- Test PLCs and drives
- Calibrate equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, high-pay, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, energy & utilities and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and logical thinking.
Which should you choose?
Choose control valve technician if…
- I like mechanical work
- I like precision
- I solve problems
Choose industrial electronics repairer if…
- I like electronics
- I solve logic puzzles
- I stay calm when lines are down
Still torn? Take the Control Valve Technician fit quiz and the Industrial Electronics Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, control valve technician or industrial electronics repairer?
Control Valve Technicians earn more at the median: $74,340 versus $74,090 for industrial electronics repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Control Valve Technicians typically train faster (Months to years of training) than industrial electronics repairers (Training program plus a year or more on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects control valve technicians to grow +4.3% from 2025–35, compared with +0.3% for industrial electronics repairers.