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The differences between plc programmers and program developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an plc programmer and a program developer. Additionally, a program developer has an average salary of $74,749, which is higher than the $70,452 average annual salary of an plc programmer.
The top three skills for an plc programmer include HMI, allen-bradley and hmi programming. The most important skills for a program developer are development programs, community outreach, and project management.
| PLC Programmer | Program Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,452 | $74,749 |
| Hourly rate | $33.87 | $35.94 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 8,459 | 128,488 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A Programmable Logic Controller or PLC programmer is a person who has expertise in the logic and language used to create such a program. This person is expected to create, develop, tweak, and troubleshoot a PLC program and enhance it to perfection. This person should have strong programming skills and all the necessary know-how to accomplish tasks outlined by the company's needs developing the PLC program. All programmers are highly essential in a technology-based company.
A software developer is mostly responsible for the development, implementation, and design of new or modified software products or current business projects. They typically work within the IT department of a company and will be involved in coordinating with the business analysts and development managers to guarantee software projects meet standard requirements. They do complex tasks from testing to evaluating new program design, modification of existing programs, and subsequently developing these modifications. In addition, deploying software tools, maintaining and upgrading existing systems are also part of their responsibilities.
Plc programmers and program developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| PLC Programmer | Program Developer | |
| Average salary | $70,452 | $74,749 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $101,000 | Between $47,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | CVR Energy | Western Digital |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | - |
There are a few differences between an plc programmer and a program developer in terms of educational background:
| PLC Programmer | Program Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between plc programmers' and program developers' demographics:
| PLC Programmer | Program Developer | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 15.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |