How To Become An PLC Programmer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an plc programmer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

If you like to tinker with machines and computers, you might want to be a PLC Programmer. A PLC Programmer writes programming for assembly lines, robotic devices, and other manufacturing technologies using a programmable logic controller or industrial computer.

As a PLC Programmer, you will design schematics and write, document, test, and install programs. You will often provide technical support to both the company and outside customers. As a logical thinker, you discuss procedural problems and revise steps in the operation manual of a program. Because you are detail-oriented, you will continually fine-tune the production and dependability of your program

To be a PLC Programmer, you must know electrical, mechanical, and software engineering principles. You need analytical thinking and good communication. You have to have at least an associate's degree in process controls or similar technical fields and two to five years of experience. As a PLC Programmer, you can earn an average annual salary of $70,000.

ScorePLC ProgrammerUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,452

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.1

Growth rate -7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 14.98%

Black or African American 5.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.90%

Unknown 4.72%

White 66.19%

Gender

female 3.93%

male 96.07%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an plc programmer

Explore plc programmer education requirements

Most common plc programmer degrees

Bachelor's

53.2 %

Associate

36.3 %

Master's

4.2 %

Start to develop specific plc programmer skills

Skills	Percentages
HMI	16.70%
Allen-Bradley	10.15%
Hmi Programming	8.01%
Troubleshoot	7.80%
PLC	5.06%

Complete relevant plc programmer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plc programmers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an plc programmer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plc programmer resumes.

Research plc programmer duties and responsibilities

Develop different VBA macro tools to automate reporting and assure information accuracy, overlapping avoidance and management control.
Programme an Allen-Bradley PLC system that replace an existing Omron controller in an automate concrete batch plant.
Installed/Program A.B., Modicon, Siemens and Omron PLCs.
Conduct electrical troubleshooting on servos, VFD, wiring, relays etc.

Prepare your plc programmer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plc programmer resume.

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