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As of October 2025, the average salary for a PLC Programmer stands at $70,452 per year. This translates to roughly $34 per hour, but actual earnings can differ based on several factors including geographic location, years of experience, and industry specialization. For example, PLC Programmers in states such as California and Texas often earn higher salaries due to a greater demand for skilled professionals in technology and manufacturing sectors.
Experience plays a vital role in determining salary levels. Entry-level PLC Programmers can expect to earn less, while those with specialized skills or certifications typically command higher salaries. Additionally, industries such as automotive and aerospace tend to offer more competitive compensation packages.
To maximize earning potential, individuals should focus on developing skills in automation technologies and continuous education. This strategic approach not only enhances job prospects but also positions professionals favorably within the job market, allowing them to negotiate better salaries and benefits. For those interested in pursuing a career as a PLC Programmer, understanding these dynamics is essential for making informed career choices.
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The highest-paying states for plc programmers are Washington, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The lowest average plc programmer salary states are Iowa, West Virginia, and Montana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $92,312 | $44.38 |
| 2 | Alaska | $88,117 | $42.36 |
| 3 | Oregon | $87,666 | $42.15 |
| 4 | Michigan | $86,898 | $41.78 |
| 5 | Virginia | $89,947 | $43.24 |
| 6 | Washington | $98,586 | $47.40 |
| 7 | Texas | $82,965 | $39.89 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $90,597 | $43.56 |
| 9 | Vermont | $79,145 | $38.05 |
| 10 | Maryland | $84,560 | $40.65 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $83,532 | $40.16 |
| 12 | Maine | $78,036 | $37.52 |
| 13 | Arizona | $78,201 | $37.60 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $90,820 | $43.66 |
| 15 | Tennessee | $73,103 | $35.15 |
| 16 | Utah | $75,837 | $36.46 |
| 17 | Delaware | $76,886 | $36.96 |
| 18 | California | $82,863 | $39.84 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $74,182 | $35.66 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $71,961 | $34.60 |
| 21 | Florida | $77,242 | $37.14 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $76,365 | $36.71 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $77,153 | $37.09 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $74,287 | $35.71 |
| 25 | Colorado | $80,079 | $38.50 |
| 26 | New York | $80,003 | $38.46 |
| 27 | Alabama | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $73,193 | $35.19 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $75,427 | $36.26 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $76,585 | $36.82 |
| 31 | Idaho | $70,311 | $33.80 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $75,023 | $36.07 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $69,182 | $33.26 |
| 34 | Nevada | $72,622 | $34.91 |
| 35 | Kansas | $70,997 | $34.13 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $70,046 | $33.68 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $73,207 | $35.20 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $66,111 | $31.78 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $66,961 | $32.19 |
| 40 | Ohio | $68,781 | $33.07 |
| 41 | Illinois | $69,658 | $33.49 |
| 42 | Georgia | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $66,873 | $32.15 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $66,707 | $32.07 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $62,087 | $29.85 |
| 46 | Iowa | $66,135 | $31.80 |
| 47 | Missouri | $68,594 | $32.98 |
| 48 | Montana | $65,505 | $31.49 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $64,884 | $31.19 |
| 51 | Indiana | $62,045 | $29.83 |
The highest-paying cities for plc programmers are Arlington, VA, Clinton, MI, and San Jose, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, VA | $90,829 | $43.67 |
| 2 | Clinton, MI | $87,627 | $42.13 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $86,672 | $41.67 |
| 4 | Littleton, CO | $80,154 | $38.54 |
| 5 | Jacksonville, FL | $79,813 | $38.37 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $76,843 | $36.94 |
| 7 | Chanhassen, MN | $76,526 | $36.79 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $75,416 | $36.26 |
| 9 | Chattanooga, TN | $73,139 | $35.16 |
| 10 | Bartlesville, OK | $72,571 | $34.89 |
| 11 | Charlotte, NC | $72,105 | $34.67 |
| 12 | Overland Park, KS | $70,830 | $34.05 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $69,774 | $33.55 |
| 14 | Franklin, WI | $69,167 | $33.25 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $68,277 | $32.83 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $67,815 | $32.60 |
| 17 | Council Bluffs, IA | $65,954 | $31.71 |
| 18 | Albuquerque, NM | $65,019 | $31.26 |
An plc programmer's salary ranges from $49,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $101,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $101,000 | $8,417 | $49 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
| Average | $70,452 | $5,871 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
The highest paying types of plc programmers are lead programmer, abap-developer, and senior programmer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sap/Abap Developer | $104,432 | $8,703 | $50.21 | 92,478 |
| Mainframe Developer | $90,902 | $7,575 | $43.70 | 255,034 |
| Controls Engineer | $84,532 | $7,044 | $40.64 | 50,203 |
| Program Development Internship | $33,686 | $2,807 | $16.19 | 150,632 |
| Information Technology Programmer | $89,063 | $7,422 | $42.82 | 283,349 |
| Program Developer | $74,749 | $6,229 | $35.94 | 128,488 |
Top companies hiring plc programmers now:
Plc programmer salaries at CVR Energy and USG are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plc programmer salary at companies like Jacobs Engineering Group and Dura Automotive Systems are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CVR Energy | $112,843 | $54.25 |
| 2 | USG | $87,911 | $42.26 |
| 3 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $87,259 | $41.95 |
| 4 | Dura Automotive Systems | $83,869 | $40.32 |
| 5 | STR Holdings | $83,767 | $40.27 |
| 6 | Novaspect | $83,761 | $40.27 |
| 7 | Carollo Engineers | $82,632 | $39.73 |
| 8 | G-TECH | $82,454 | $39.64 |
| 9 | Anheuser-Busch | $82,085 | $39.46 |
| 10 | International Paper | $81,996 | $39.42 |
| 11 | General Dynamics | $79,903 | $38.41 |
| 12 | WesTech | $79,886 | $38.41 |
| 13 | National Prosource | $77,594 | $37.30 |
| 14 | Venteon | $76,533 | $36.79 |
| 15 | Retrotech, Inc. | $75,895 | $36.49 |
| 16 | Jacobs Enterprises | $75,890 | $36.49 |
| 17 | Nes Holdings | $75,383 | $36.24 |
| 18 | ATS Ohio Inc | $75,348 | $36.23 |
| 19 | Kuka Systems Gmbh | $75,044 | $36.08 |
| 20 | Lonestar Electric Supply | $75,042 | $36.08 |
The average plc programmer salary has risen by $13,068 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plc programmer earned $57,384 annually, but today, they earn $70,452 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for plc programmers over the last decade.
Compare plc programmer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare plc programmer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,500 | $33.87 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $68,100 | $32.76 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $66,600 | $32.01 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $65,000 | $31.24 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $63,100 | $30.33 | +0.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actalent | PLC Programmer | Newton, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $55,000 |
| SJE Rhombus | Plc/Hmi Programmer | Vacaville, CA | 06/27/2025 | $93,000 |
| Recruiting Solutions | PLC Programmer | Columbia, SC | 06/27/2025 | $65,000 |
| The Bergaila Companies | PLC Programmer/Integrator | Kermit, TX | 06/27/2025 | $133,568 |
| Akkodis | PLC Programmer | Greensboro, NC | 06/24/2025 | $91,828 |
| Carollo Engineers | Mid Level Scada/Plc Programmer | Westminster, CO | 06/21/2025 | $85,000 |
| Noblis | PLC Programmer | Philadelphia, PA | 06/21/2025 | $77,000 |
| Direct Recruiters, Inc. | PLC Programmer | Concord, NC | 06/21/2025 | $73,045 |
| Hcltech | PLC Programmer | Rockford, IL | 06/18/2025 | $92,000 |
| Actalent | PLC Programmer | Burlington, NC | 06/16/2025 | $79,306 |
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