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Plant Controller Salary in the United States

How much does a Plant Controller make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Controller in the United States is $117,383 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,395
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,742 to $127,858
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,143
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Plant Controller Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Plant Controller Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $113,039
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $113,561
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,298
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $117,383
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,041
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
View as Graph

How Do Plant Controllers 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 Plant Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $129,966.
  • California: $129,473.
  • Massachusetts: $127,748.

Top Paying Cities for Plant Controller

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: $148,055
  • San Francisco: $146,434
  • Oakland: $143,348

What Skills Can Increase a Plant Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.07% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
  • ERP Systems (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Leveraging advanced tools and software systems to automate and manage core business functions cost-effectively to maximize performance.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.07%
Financial Statements 1.82%
ERP Systems 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Financial Statements: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Financial Statements $123,252
5%
Project Management $122,078
4%
Insight $122,078
4%
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Plant Controller Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

Plant Controller Salary by Company Size

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

Plant Controller Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Plant Controller roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Plant Controller positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Plant Controller as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Plant Controller

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$129,121$62.010%
Biotechnology$129,121$62.010%
Energy & Utilities$129,121$62.010%
Financial Services$129,121$62.010%
Healthcare$129,121$62.010%

How Education impacts an Plant Controller's Salary?

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.

Plant Controller Salaries by Degree Level

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%
View as Graph

Plant Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$105,742
Average $117,383/year
$127,858
$8,812
Average $9,782/month
$10,655
$2,034
Average $2,257/week
$2,459
$51
Average $56/hour
$61
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

Plant Controller Salary Growth & Career Path

Plant Controller

Next Role

Advancement

For a Plant Controller, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Accounting Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $159,716 - a projected growth of 36% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Plant Controller

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Plant Controller

Here are companies hiring for Plant Controller and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Plant Controller

1. Where can a Plant Controller earn the most?

A Plant Controller's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Plant Controller earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Plant Controller is $148,055.

2. What is the highest pay for Plant Controller?

The highest pay for Plant Controller is $137,395.

3. What is the lowest pay for Plant Controller?

The lowest pay for Plant Controller is $95,143.

4. What are the responsibilities of Plant Controller?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Plant Controller?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Plant Controller roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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