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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 96 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programmer job postings in North Carolina in the past year and 2481 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 LevelPercentage
Associate's Degree0%
Bachelor's Degree44.78%
Master's Degree2.94%
Doctoral Degree0.08%
Other6.49%

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 years26.84%
3 to 5 years61.26%
6 to 8 years7.44%
9+ years4.45%

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) (62.27%)
  • Communication (27.93%)
  • Problem Solving (23.86%)
  • Operations (15.56%)
  • Writing (11.45%)
  • Management (10.16%)
  • Customer Service (9.92%)
  • Detail Oriented (9.88%)
  • Time Management (8.18%)
  • Self-Motivation (7.82%)

Defining Skills

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

  • AutoCAD (22.63%)
  • Automation (50.35%)
  • Control Systems (30.31%)
  • Debugging (22.3%)
  • Machinery (19.37%)
  • Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) (23.17%)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (91.32%)
  • Human Machine Interfaces (59.04%)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers Programming (56.33%)

Necessary Skills

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

  • Siemens PLC (7.52%)
  • Industrial Automation (9.77%)
  • Communications Protocols (13.03%)
  • Continuous Improvement Process (7.06%)
  • Technical Support (4.26%)
  • Computer Science (8.48%)
  • Electrical Engineering (30.65%)
  • Distributed Control Systems (4.55%)
  • Electrical Wiring (10.69%)
  • Instrumentation (14.49%)
  • Electrical Systems (7.77%)
  • Control Engineering (5.72%)
  • Electronics (4.55%)
  • Mechanical Engineering (6.18%)
  • Electronic Components (3.97%)
  • Modbus (8.73%)
  • Manufacturing Processes (7.68%)
  • Hydraulics (5.09%)
  • PROFINET Standards (4.43%)
  • Robotics (13.82%)
  • Wonderware (8.6%)
  • Ladder Logic (22.59%)
  • Project Management (16.95%)
  • Machine Controls (9.94%)
  • Safety Standards (7.64%)
  • Process Control (12.4%)
  • Variable Frequency Drives (11.4%)
  • Network Switches (3.55%)
  • Structured Text (9.31%)
  • Motion Control Systems (13.53%)
  • Pneumatics (4.3%)
  • Profibus (6.47%)
  • Rockwell FactoryTalk (7.77%)
  • Software Engineering (2.05%)
  • Systems Integration (6.26%)
  • Automation Systems (12.32%)
  • Commissioning (11.27%)
  • ControlLogix (5.01%)
  • Programming Languages (7.31%)

Distinguishing Skills

A skill that may distinguish a subset of the occupation.

  • Aveva InTouch (6.47%)
  • Function Block Diagram (4.8%)
  • SIMATIC WinCC (SCADA System) (7.27%)
  • Connected Components (4.8%)
  • Totally Integrated Automation Portal (6.14%)

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 (7.08%)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (99.95%)
  • SIMATIC WinCC (SCADA System) (7.95%)

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
  • PLC Technician
  • Automation Engineer
  • Controls Engineering Manager
  • 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 (395)
  • GPAC (139)
  • The Judge Group (51)
  • CyberCoders (41)
  • Northrop Grumman (40)
  • Randstad (37)
  • Control Panels USA (34)
  • Aerotek (28)
  • ManpowerGroup (27)
  • Jobot (25)

North Carolina

  • Actalent (30)
  • Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd (4)
  • Ashley Furniture (3)
  • Monroe Staffing (3)
  • Biogen (2)
  • Linamar (2)
  • Elite Automation (2)
  • Corning (2)
  • Infinite Resource Solutions (2)
  • Citigroup (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!