Writes and troubleshoots the programmable logic controller code that runs automated machines and production lines. BLS does not publish separate figures for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians; it counts them within electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologist and technician (SOC 17-3024), whose median pay is $73,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3024
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
PLC Programmer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $73,900a year, or $35.53/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $110K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.6%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,40015,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202515.7K
- Projected 203516.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 15.7K Projected 2035 16.2K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school9.9%
- Certificate31.7%
- Some college7.3%
- Associate's29.8%
- Bachelor's11%
- Master's5.6%
Highest education held by electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians Segment Value High school 9.9% Certificate 31.7% Some college 7.3% Associate's 29.8% Bachelor's 11% Master's 5.6%
Also advertised as: PLC Technician, PLC Programmer Technician, PLC Specialist, Controls Technician, Automation Programmer.
Pay
How much do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians make?
Every plc programmer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$73,900
Middle half earn $59,780 to $88,540
- 10th
- $47,840
- 25th
- $59,780
- 75th
- $88,540
- 90th
- $109,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,840 |
| 25th | $59,780 |
| Median | $73,900 |
| 75th | $88,540 |
| 90th | $109,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $73,900
- Median hourly wage
- $35.53/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $76,420
- People employed
- 15,520
Versus all US occupations
At $73,900, Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians earn 45% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $22,920 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 29% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $109,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,840, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 48% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $119,320, and still leads at $129,397 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $119,320 | $129,397 | 670 |
| 2North Dakota | $82,820 | $93,099 | 90 |
| 3Maine | $82,510 | $85,018 | N/A |
| 4Nevada | $82,010 | $82,027 | 220 |
| 5Connecticut | $81,860 | $79,008 | 140 |
| 6California | $81,550 | $73,654 | 1,850 |
| 7Washington | $81,220 | $75,897 | 570 |
| 8Arizona | $80,930 | $80,386 | 120 |
| 9Alaska | $80,290 | $78,440 | 40 |
| 10Illinois | $79,400 | $79,433 | 250 |
Job outlook
Is PLC Programmer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | +2.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 15,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a PLC Programmer
Many PLC programmers hold an associate's degree in industrial automation, electronics or mechatronics, and some learn through apprenticeships or electrician and maintenance roles. Manufacturer training on platforms such as Rockwell and Siemens is common.
The International Society of Automation offers the Certified Control Systems Technician credential, and many community colleges offer PLC certificates. Experienced programmers often move into controls engineering. Many programmers build their skills through maintenance roles, practice on training rigs and online simulators, and gradually take on larger programming projects. Experience with industrial networks, drives and robotics is a strong advantage.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate31.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree29.8%
- Bachelor's Degree11%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9.9%
- Some College Courses7.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 31.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 29.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 11% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 9.9% |
| Some College Courses | 7.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a PLC Programmer do?
PLC programmers write the ladder logic and other code that tells automated equipment what to do. They program sequences for conveyors, robots, packaging lines and process skids, set up operator screens, and connect PLCs to sensors, drives and plant networks.
When a line stops, they go online with the controller, trace the fault through the logic and the wiring, and get production running again. They also make program changes for new products, document code, and back up programs. They also train maintenance staff on how new logic works.
Day-to-day tasks
- Write and modify PLC programs in ladder logic
- Troubleshoot machine faults using online logic
- Configure operator interface screens
- Connect PLCs to sensors, drives and networks
- Test program changes before production
- Document and back up control programs
- Train maintenance staff on new logic
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
PLC programmers work on plant floors and in maintenance shops, with laptop work at control panels. Some travel for system integrators. Shift coverage, on-call duty and weekend work during shutdowns are common. Plant floors can be loud, hot or cold depending on the industry, and work at energized control panels requires electrical safety training and lockout procedures.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.8
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Writing3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Mathematics2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Troubleshooting3.9
- Repairing3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.6
- Operation and Control3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Equipment Selection3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.9 |
| Repairing | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a PLC Programmer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | PLC Programmer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic7.0
- Investigative5.0
- Conventional5.0
- Artistic1.4
- Social1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to PLC Programmer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician
$73,900median a year
Most earn $48K to $110K
+2.6%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician
$78,190median a year
Most earn $50K to $116K
+2.4%Associate's
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- PLC Programmer$73,900
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| PLC Programmer | $73,900 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists PLC Programmer appears on
Questions
PLC Programmer: frequently asked questions
How much do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians. It counts them within electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologist and technician, whose median pay is $73,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $59,780 and $88,540, and the top 10% earn $109,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a PLC Programmer?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 31.7% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is PLC Programmer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a PLC Programmer do?
PLC programmers write the ladder logic and other code that tells automated equipment what to do. A typical task: write and modify PLC programs in ladder logic. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians are New Mexico ($119,320), North Dakota ($82,820), Maine ($82,510) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a PLC Programmer?
O*NET scores Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.