Automation Technician Jobs in Illinois

Automation Technician jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the state's deep manufacturing base, food processing industry, and expanding pharmaceutical and logistics sectors driving consistent openings at every level from entry-level maintenance through senior controls specialists. Chicago, Rockford, and the Joliet-Elgin corridor are the busiest hiring markets, where companies like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Illinois Tool Works maintain large facilities and ongoing automation staffing needs. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois are PLC programming, robotics integration, and process controls. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles48
Top employerSiemens
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring31
Work type83% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 48+ Automation Technician jobs

Automation Maintenance Technician 2nd shift
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Added 3d ago
Automation Maintenance Technician 2nd shift
Pentair
Hanover Park, Illinois
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$35 - $40/hr
10,000+

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Application & Automation Technician-1st Shift
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Added 3d ago
Application & Automation Technician-1st Shift
Eaton
Pinckneyville, Illinois
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
$30.58 - $35.09/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Automation Technician-3rd Shift- Champaign
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Added 4d ago
Automation Technician-3rd Shift- Champaign
Caterpillar
Champaign, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Robotics Engineering
$23.05 - $29.35/hr
Associate's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Automation & PLC Maintenance Technician (Plant Operations)
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Added 4d ago
Automation & PLC Maintenance Technician (Plant Operations)
Nexus Employment Solutions Plus, Inc
Manteno, Illinois
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
$32 - $38/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Automation Pharmacy Technician 4 - Chicago, IL
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Added 4d ago
Automation Pharmacy Technician 4 - Chicago, IL
Omnicell
Chicago, Illinois
Automation QA
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$25 - $27/hr
PTCB Certification
1,001-5,000

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See All 48 Automation Technician Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Automation Technician Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
6 jobs
Romeoville
4 jobs
Joliet
3 jobs
Buffalo Grove
3 jobs
Hebron
2 jobs
Normal
2 jobs
Champaign
2 jobs
Bedford Park
2 jobs
Rolling Meadows
2 jobs

Automation Technician Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Siemens5 open roles
Nemera3 open roles
Novolex3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing
  • Food & Beverage

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in automation technician jobs across Illinois.

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in industrial automation, electronics, or a related field
  • Hands-on experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi
  • Familiarity with SCADA systems, HMI configuration, and process control instrumentation
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, and technical manuals
  • Competency in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic automated systems
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred for manufacturing and industrial site work

Automation Technician Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a automation technician in Illinois?

Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for automation technicians, so the typical path starts with an associate degree or technical certificate in industrial automation, mechatronics, or electrical technology from a community college such as Moraine Valley, Prairie State, or Rock Valley College. Employers look for hands-on PLC and robotics training, and vendor certifications from Rockwell Automation or Siemens strengthen a candidacy considerably in the Illinois manufacturing market.

How much do automation technicians make in Illinois?

Automation technicians in Illinois earn a median of about $79,400 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,780 for the lowest 10% to over $98,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire automation technicians in Illinois?

Employers hiring automation technicians in Illinois right now include Siemens, Nemera, and Novolex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense manufacturing and food processing sectors mean openings appear regularly at both large multinationals and regional industrial facilities outside of Chicago.

Which Illinois cities have the most automation technician jobs?

Chicago, Romeoville, and Joliet have the most automation technician openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors the market through its concentration of pharmaceutical, food manufacturing, and logistics companies, while the Rockford and Elgin-Joliet corridors generate steady demand from heavy equipment manufacturers and large industrial distribution centers that rely on automated systems.

Are there remote automation technician jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Automation technician work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to physical equipment on plant floors, so most roles require an on-site presence. About 17% of automation technician openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically cover controls engineering support, remote monitoring, or technical documentation rather than direct equipment maintenance.

How can I get hired as a automation technician in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an apprenticeship or entry-level maintenance technician role through Illinois's manufacturing sector, where companies like Caterpillar and Illinois Tool Works hire associates with technical training but limited field time. Community college programs at Moraine Valley or Heartland Community College include industry externships that lead to direct placement. Candidates who hold a CompTIA or Rockwell Automation certification and can demonstrate PLC lab experience have a clear edge over those with coursework alone.

Where can I find and apply to automation technician jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to automation technician jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state's manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food processing, and logistics sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 48 Automation Technician Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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