Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer
What Does a Professional in this Career Do?
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer programs and operates PLC systems used to automate processes in manufacturing and other industries. Installs systems with electronic controls for mechanical equipment. Monitors system operations and troubleshoots system problems.
Job Outlook
There were 138 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer job postings in North Carolina in the past year and 2331 in the United States.
In combination with other careers in the Electrical / Electronic Designer industry, which includes the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer career, the following graph shows the number of people employed for each year since 2016:
Salary
Many new Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer jobs have salaries estimated to be in the following ranges, based on the requirements and responsibilities listed in job postings from the past year.
National
The average estimated salary in the United States for this career, based on job postings in the past year, is $92,468.
State
The average estimated salary in North Carolina for this career, based on job postings in the past year, is $93,752.
Percentiles represent the percentage that is lower than the value. For example, 25% of estimated salaries for Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer postings in the United States in the past year were lower than $78,232.
Education and Experience
Posted Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer jobs typically require the following level of education. The numbers below are based on job postings in the United States from the past year. Not all job postings list education requirements.
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | 0% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 43.07% |
| Master's Degree | 2.57% |
| Doctoral Degree | 0.04% |
| Other | 8.24% |
Posted Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer jobs typically require the following number of years of experience. The numbers below are based on job postings in the United States from the past year. Not all job postings list experience requirements.
| Years of Experience | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | 26.4% |
| 3 to 5 years | 58.52% |
| 6 to 8 years | 8.45% |
| 9+ years | 6.63% |
Skills
Below are listings of the most common general and specialized skills Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer positions expect applicants to have as well as the most common skills that distinguish individuals from their peers. The percentage of job postings that specifically mention each skill is also listed.
Baseline Skills
A skill that is required across a broad range of occupations, including this one.
- Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) (62.12%)
- Communication (29.56%)
- Problem Solving (24.67%)
- Operations (15.4%)
- Writing (11.33%)
- Management (11.28%)
- Customer Service (10.38%)
- Detail Oriented (9.91%)
- Time Management (8.71%)
- Self-Motivation (8.11%)
Defining Skills
A core skill for this occupation, it occurs frequently in job postings.
- AutoCAD (20.79%)
- Automation (50.45%)
- Control Systems (31.81%)
- Debugging (21.95%)
- Machinery (22.31%)
- Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) (24.15%)
- Programmable Logic Controllers (91.62%)
- Human Machine Interfaces (60.39%)
- Programmable Logic Controllers Programming (58.51%)
Necessary Skills
A skill that is requested frequently in this occupation but isn’t specific to it.
- Siemens PLC (8.15%)
- Industrial Automation (10.93%)
- Communications Protocols (14.11%)
- Continuous Improvement Process (7.44%)
- Technical Support (4.93%)
- Computer Science (8.38%)
- Electrical Engineering (30.02%)
- Distributed Control Systems (4.39%)
- Electrical Wiring (10.57%)
- Instrumentation (13.4%)
- Electrical Systems (8.15%)
- Control Engineering (5.42%)
- Electronics (4.26%)
- Mechanical Engineering (6.45%)
- Electronic Components (5.51%)
- Modbus (9.27%)
- Manufacturing Processes (8.24%)
- Hydraulics (5.73%)
- PROFINET Standards (4.75%)
- Robotics (12.77%)
- Wonderware (8.38%)
- Ladder Logic (22.98%)
- Project Management (16.53%)
- Machine Controls (10.93%)
- Safety Standards (8.02%)
- Process Control (13.89%)
- Variable Frequency Drives (9.86%)
- Network Switches (3.54%)
- Structured Text (10.26%)
- Motion Control Systems (14.25%)
- Pneumatics (4.48%)
- Profibus (7.21%)
- Rockwell FactoryTalk (8.42%)
- Software Engineering (2.11%)
- Systems Integration (7.12%)
- Automation Systems (13.35%)
- Commissioning (11.74%)
- ControlLogix (5.33%)
- Programming Languages (8.15%)
Distinguishing Skills
A skill that may distinguish a subset of the occupation.
- Aveva InTouch (6.94%)
- Function Block Diagram (4.97%)
- SIMATIC WinCC (SCADA System) (7.97%)
- Connected Components (5.06%)
- Totally Integrated Automation Portal (6.36%)
Salary Boosting Skills
A professional who wishes to excel in this career path may consider developing the following highly valued skills. The percentage of job postings that specifically mention each skill is listed.
- Aveva InTouch (7.58%)
- Programmable Logic Controllers (99.95%)
- SIMATIC WinCC (SCADA System) (8.7%)
Alternative Job Titles
Sometimes employers post jobs with Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer skills but a different job title. Some common alternative job titles include:
- PLC Programmer
- Controls Engineer
- Automation Controls Engineer
- PLC Controls Engineer
- PLC Engineer
- Automation and Controls Specialist
- PLC Technician
- Automation Engineer
- Robot Programmer
- Automation Programmer
Similar Occupations
If you are interested in exploring occupations with similar skills, you may want to research the following job titles. Note that we only list occupations that have at least one corresponding NC State Online and Distance Education program.
Common Employers
Here are the employers that have posted the most Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer jobs in the past year along with how many they have posted.
United States
- Actalent (340)
- GPAC (148)
- CyberCoders (47)
- The Judge Group (40)
- Entegee (39)
- Control Panels USA (37)
- Ashley Furniture (32)
- Aerotek (27)
- Randstad (27)
- ManpowerGroup (24)
North Carolina
- Ashley Furniture (32)
- Actalent (27)
- Insight Global (4)
- Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd (4)
- Elite Automation (3)
- Randstad (3)
- Monroe Staffing (3)
- Biogen (2)
- Hoffman & Hoffman (2)
- Linamar (2)
NC State Programs Relevant to this Career
If you are interested in preparing for a career in this field, the following NC State Online and Distance Education programs offer a great place to start!
All wages, job posting statistics, employment trend projections, and information about skill desirability on this page represents historical data and does not guarantee future conditions. Data is provided by and downloaded regularly from Lightcast. For more information about how Lightcast gathers data and what it represents, see Lightcast Data: Basic Overview on Lightcast's Knowledge Base website.