Plc programmer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an plc programmer. Plc programmers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or mechatronics and robotics. 53% of plc programmers hold a bachelor's degree, and 36% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 391 real plc programmer resumes to see exactly what plc programmer education sections show.

The most common colleges for plc programmers are the Indiana State University and the Indiana State University.

There are also many online plc programmer courses to help get the education required to be an plc programmer.

What education do you need to become an plc programmer?

What degree do you need to be an plc programmer?

The most common degree for plc programmers is bachelor's degree, with 53% of plc programmers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 36% and associate degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 53%

Associate, 36%

Master's, 4%

Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become an plc programmer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an plc programmer. 35% of plc programmers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an plc programmer include electrical engineering technology and mechatronics and robotics.

Electrical Engineering, 35%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 18%

Mechatronics And Robotics, 6%

Computer Science, 6%

Other Majors, 35%

Most common colleges for plc programmers

Plc programmers often get their degrees at Indiana State University, New England Institute of Technology, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for plc programmers in the US based on their resumes.

Plc programmer common college	Percentages
Indiana State University	8.33%
New England Institute of Technology	8.33%
DeVry University	8.33%
Purdue University	5.56%
Wayne State University	5.56%

Show more common plc programmer colleges

Best majors for plc programmers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	34.5%
2	Electrical Engineering Technology	17.7%
3	Mechatronics And Robotics	6.4%
4	Computer Science	6.4%
5	Computer Engineering	4.1%

Show more common plc programmer majors

Best colleges for plc programmers

The best colleges for plc programmers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An plc programmer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for plc programmers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become plc programmers.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

6. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

7. Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$40,749

Enrollment

2,582

8. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

9. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

20 best online courses for plc programmers

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4. PLC, Arduino and HMI Projects over Modbus TCP: From Scratch

4.9

(422)

Design from A-Z control projects using Arduino, Soft PLC, HMI, VFD, Mod Bus TCP and Electrical panel with full simulation...

5. Learn 5 PLCs in a Day-AB, Siemens, Schneider, Omron & Delta

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Using Advanced Ladder Logic PLC Programming techniques with Studio 5000, using more complex instructions...

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Learn PLC programming with ladder logic on a PLC simulator. NO EXPENSIVE HARDWARE NEEDED!...

8. Studio 5000 PLC Ladder Logic Training. Basic.

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The student will learn the difference programming a PLC using Studio 5000 software and other PLC packages...

9. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control

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Electrical Hardware Engineering & Variable Frequency Drive Programming PLC, HMI, Allen Bradley RSLogix 5000...

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Learn Delta Plc Programming - Softwares & Servo & Scada & RS-485 Comm & Can Open & DIAStudio & HMI& Instructions...

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19. Siemens TIA Portal - PLC Programming Basics

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Create, Structure, Program, Download and Troubleshoot your First TIA Portal Step 7 PLC Application from Scratch...

20. Allen Bradley PLC Training - RSLogix 5000 Series

4.6

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This course will give a person with no experience learn PLC programming from scratch using RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000...

Top 10 most affordable universities for plc programmers

The most affordable schools for plc programmers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for plc programmers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for plc programmers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

9. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for plc programmers

The hardest universities for plc programmers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for plc programmers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for plc programmers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for plc programmers

The easiest schools for plc programmers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an plc programmer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for plc programmers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

8. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average plc programmer salary by education level

According to our data, plc programmers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,941 annually. Plc programmers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $76,710.

Plc programmer education level	Plc programmer salary
Master's Degree	$76,710
Bachelor's Degree	$73,191
Doctorate Degree	$78,941
Some College/ Associate Degree	$63,337

Plc programmer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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