As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Plant Controller in the United States is $56, which translates to an annual salary of about $117,383.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Plant Controller Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $127,858 | $10,655 | $2,459 | $61 |
| Average | $117,383 | $9,782 | $2,257 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,742 | $8,812 | $2,034 | $51 |
A Plant Controller'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plant Controller'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Plant Controller | $113,039 |
| Intermediate Level Plant Controller | $113,561 |
| Senior Level Plant Controller | $115,298 |
| Specialist Level Plant Controller | $117,383 |
| Expert Level Plant Controller | $120,041 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 11.07% |
| Financial Statements | 1.82% |
| ERP Systems | 1.3% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Plant Controller's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Statements | $123,252 | |
| Project Management | $122,078 | |
| Insight | $122,078 |
Plant Controller salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,106. While startup companies pay approximate $111,006.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $111,006 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $117,370 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $126,633 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $131,106 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plant Controller enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Plant Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $125,415 and $134,208.
| Typical Education for Plant Controller | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 14.3% |
| High School | 35.7% |
| Associates | 14.3% |
| Bachelors | 35.7% |
| Masters | 50.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Plant Controller'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $127,858 | $10,655 | $2,459 | $61 |
| Average | $117,383 | $9,782 | $2,257 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,742 | $8,812 | $2,034 | $51 |
Salaries for a Plant Controller can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $108,322 in 2023 to around $105,439 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Plant Controller salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $108,322 |
| 2024 | $106,746 |
| 2025 | $105,439 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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Manages all financial control and accounting activities of a plant including general and cost accounting, payables/receivables and payroll. Ensures the plant's financial control processes and systems comply with company policies, applicable regulations, and provide required information. Monitors plant operation results against operating plans and direct the preparation of financial, production output, and other reports used to measure and control plant activities and costs. Leads the plant financial and capital budgeting process. Recommends and implements programs to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, and reduce costs. May require a CPA. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or equivalent. Typically reports to top management. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Financial Statements: Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
ERP Systems: Leveraging advanced tools and software systems to automate and manage core business functions cost-effectively to maximize performance.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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