PLC Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a PLC Technician make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a PLC Technician in the United States is $54,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a PLC Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,673
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,200 to $61,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,646
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,200 10% $42,646 90% $67,673 75% $61,300 $54,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

PLC Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,300 $5,108 $1,179 $29
Average $54,300 $4,525 $1,044 $26
25th Percentile $48,200 $4,017 $927 $23
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Key Factors That Influence PLC Technician Salaries

A PLC Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects PLC Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a PLC Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $51,569
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,024
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,663
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,912
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,270
Levels Salary
Entry Level PLC Technician$51,569
Intermediate Level PLC Technician$52,024
Senior Level PLC Technician$53,663
Specialist Level PLC Technician$56,912
Expert Level PLC Technician$58,270
$51,569 0 yr
$52,024 < 2 yrs
$53,663 2-4 yrs
$56,912 5-8 yrs
$58,270 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do PLC Technician Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract PLC Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $60,100.
  • California: $59,800.
  • Massachusetts: $59,000.

Top Paying Cities for PLC Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $68,400
  • San Francisco: $67,700
  • Oakland: $66,200

PLC Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

PLC Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,734. While startup companies pay approximate $51,363.

PLC Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$51,363
Growth Stage51~500$54,324
Established501~5000$58,650
Enterprise5000+$60,734

PLC Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For PLC Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 55% above the average. In contrast, PLC Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view PLC Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a PLC Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$84,165$40.055%
MFG Durable$70,590$34.030%
Pharmaceuticals$65,160$31.020%
Aerospace & Defense$62,445$30.015%
Biotechnology$59,730$29.010%

PLC Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a PLC Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

PLC Technician Salary Growth & Career Path

For a PLC Technician, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Automated Equipment Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $70,100 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.

Most common benefits for PLC Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for PLC Technician

Here are companies hiring for PLC Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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