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PLC Programming Careers & Salaries

Explore comprehensive salary data, required skills, certifications, and career advancement paths for PLC programming and automation engineering roles across the United States.

16
Job Titles
15
States Covered
30+
Salary Pages
📊 Complete Directory

Browse All Salary Pages

Explore our comprehensive directory with 1904 salary pages covering every job title and location combination.

  • All 16 job titles across 15 US states
  • Global salary data for 104 cities worldwide
  • Easy navigation by job title or location

Explore Careers by Job Title

Click on a job title to explore salary data, required skills, and career paths across different states.

PLC Programmer

Programming

Develops, tests, and maintains programmable logic controller (PLC) programs for industrial automation systems.

National Average
$78,000
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Controls Engineer

Engineering

Designs, develops, and manages automated control systems for industrial processes.

National Average
$85,000
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Automation Engineer

Engineering

Develops and implements automation solutions to improve efficiency and reduce manual processes.

National Average
$82,000
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SCADA Engineer

Engineering

Designs and maintains SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for monitoring and controlling industrial processes.

National Average
$88,000
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Instrumentation Technician

Technician

Focuses on calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting field instruments including transmitters, control valves, and analyzers. Common in process industries such as oil & gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

National Average
$62,000
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PLC Technician

Technician

Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots PLC systems and industrial control equipment.

National Average
$60,000
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Manufacturing Engineer

Engineering

Optimizes manufacturing processes and implements automation solutions for production efficiency.

National Average
$85,000
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Robotics Engineer

Engineering

Programs and integrates industrial robots from major manufacturers such as FANUC, ABB, and KUKA. Designs robotic workcells, develops motion programs, and commissions systems for production. Growing demand in automotive, logistics, and warehouse automation.

National Average
$95,000
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Industrial Electrician

Technician

Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots industrial electrical systems including PLC wiring, motor controls, power distribution, and control panel fabrication. High demand across all manufacturing and process industries.

National Average
$58,000
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Process Control Engineer

Engineering

Designs and optimizes process control strategies including PID tuning, advanced process control (APC), and regulatory control loops. Dominant in oil & gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries where process stability directly impacts safety and product quality.

National Average
$98,000
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Systems Integrator

Engineering

Designs complete automation solutions and manages projects from design through commissioning. Coordinates PLC programming, HMI development, electrical design, and networking across multi-vendor systems. Works across all industries as a technical project lead.

National Average
$92,000
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HMI/SCADA Developer

Programming

Specializes in designing and programming HMI screens and SCADA systems using platforms like Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk View, and WinCC. Creates intuitive operator interfaces, alarm management systems, and data visualization dashboards. Growing demand with IIoT adoption.

National Average
$85,000
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Motion Control Engineer

Engineering

Specializes in servo drives, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and precision motion applications. Programs coordinated multi-axis motion for CNC machining, packaging machinery, semiconductor fabrication, and robotic systems.

National Average
$96,000
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Field Service Engineer (Automation)

Engineering

Travels to customer sites for installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and ongoing support of automation systems. Provides hands-on technical expertise for PLC, HMI, and drive systems. High travel role that serves as an excellent entry path into industrial automation.

National Average
$78,000
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Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Engineer

Engineering

Combines electrical and instrumentation engineering disciplines, responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining electrical power systems and field instrumentation. Common in process industries including oil & gas, refining, and petrochemical plants.

National Average
$88,000
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DCS Engineer

Engineering

Specializes in Distributed Control Systems from vendors like Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV, and ABB 800xA. Configures control modules, develops batch sequences, and manages system upgrades. Dominant in refining, chemical, and power generation industries.

National Average
$95,000
View salaries by state:

Browse Salary by City

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104 cities • 16 job titles • 1 664 salary pages

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Salary Data by US State

Salaries vary by location based on cost of living, industry demand, and local job markets.

California

West
Cost of Living: 145% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.25x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Aerospace

Texas

Southwest
Cost of Living: 95% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.05x
Top Industries:
  • Oil & Gas
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy

Michigan

Midwest
Cost of Living: 88% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.00x
Top Industries:
  • Automotive
  • Manufacturing
  • Agriculture

Ohio

Midwest
Cost of Living: 85% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 0.95x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Chemicals

Pennsylvania

Northeast
Cost of Living: 98% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.02x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Steel

North Carolina

Southeast
Cost of Living: 92% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.00x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Technology

Florida

Southeast
Cost of Living: 99% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.00x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Aerospace
  • Technology

Georgia

Southeast
Cost of Living: 88% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 0.98x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive

Washington

West
Cost of Living: 118% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.15x
Top Industries:
  • Aerospace
  • Technology
  • Manufacturing

Arizona

Southwest
Cost of Living: 97% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.02x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Aerospace
  • Semiconductors

Indiana

Midwest
Cost of Living: 83% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 0.95x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Pharmaceuticals

Tennessee

Southeast
Cost of Living: 88% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 0.96x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Healthcare

Wisconsin

Midwest
Cost of Living: 90% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 0.98x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Food Processing
  • Paper Products

New York

Northeast
Cost of Living: 120% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.18x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Finance

Illinois

Midwest
Cost of Living: 92% of national average
Salary Multiplier: 1.03x
Top Industries:
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • Finance

Complete Salary Matrix

Explore all combinations of job titles and locations to find the perfect career opportunity.

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