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Engineering | Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer

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 33 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer job postings in North Carolina in the past year and 1401 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 2015:

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 $77,707.

State

The average estimated salary in North Carolina for this career, based on job postings in the past year, is $75,854.

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 $67,471.

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 LevelPercentage
Associate's Degree0%
Bachelor's Degree42.68%
Master's Degree1.86%
Doctoral Degree0.14%
Other8.71%

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 ExperiencePercentage
0 to 2 years22.37%
3 to 5 years66.84%
6 to 8 years7.58%
9+ years3.21%

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) (61.81%)
  • Communication (35.47%)
  • Problem Solving (22.63%)
  • Operations (19.77%)
  • Detail Oriented (14.06%)
  • Management (10.64%)
  • Writing (10.35%)
  • Microsoft Office (8.78%)
  • Customer Service (7.21%)
  • Microsoft Excel (6.92%)

Defining Skills

A core skill for this occupation, it occurs frequently in job postings.

  • Automation (50.93%)
  • Ladder Logic (25.35%)
  • Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) (21.92%)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (93.36%)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers Programming (55.33%)
  • Human Machine Interfaces (56.97%)

Necessary Skills

A skill that is requested frequently in this occupation but isn’t specific to it.

  • Industrial Automation (9.17%)
  • Electrical Engineering (30.43%)
  • AutoCAD (14.17%)
  • Electrical Systems (8.8%)
  • Electrical Wiring (10.51%)
  • Control Systems (38.11%)
  • Technical Support (6.56%)
  • Instrumentation (17.82%)
  • Computer Science (12.08%)
  • Communications Protocols (8.43%)
  • Control Engineering (5.22%)
  • Pneumatics (4.92%)
  • Wonderware (8.43%)
  • Modbus (7.61%)
  • Variable Frequency Drives (15.21%)
  • Mechanical Engineering (8.05%)
  • Hydraulics (6.26%)
  • Debugging (18.57%)
  • Profibus (5.82%)
  • Computer Engineering (8.28%)
  • Machinery (14.69%)
  • Structured Text (9.55%)
  • Robotics (9.69%)
  • Safety Standards (4.47%)
  • Project Management (14.02%)
  • Programming Languages (9.17%)
  • Network Switches (5.22%)
  • Wiring Diagram (4.7%)
  • Commissioning (10.44%)
  • Rockwell FactoryTalk (9.92%)

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.

  • Ladder Logic (100%)

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
  • PLC Controls Engineer
  • UI Programmer
  • C Developer
  • PLC Technician
  • PLC Engineer
  • R Programmer
  • Automation Programmer
  • Robotic 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 (122)
  • Jobot (51)
  • The Judge Group (42)
  • Symbotic (24)
  • Tradesmen International (22)
  • CyberCoders (20)
  • Randstad (16)
  • Carollo Engineers (15)
  • Interstates (13)
  • Peckham Industries (13)

North Carolina

  • Actalent (3)
  • Think Inc. S.R.L. (3)
  • Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd (3)
  • Ashley Furniture (3)
  • Elite Automation (2)
  • Jobot (2)
  • Citigroup (2)
  • Instantserve (2)
  • Demand Drive Solutions Pvt Ltd (1)
  • Tag International Solutions (1)

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!