Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary in California

How much does a Programmable Logic Controller Technician make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Programmable Logic Controller Technician in California is $59,786 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,536
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,140 to $67,507
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,090
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View as table View as graph 25% $53,140 10% $47,090 90% $74,536 75% $67,507 $59,786 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $67,507 $5,626 $1,298 $32
Average $59,786 $4,982 $1,150 $29
25th Percentile $53,140 $4,428 $1,022 $26
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Key Factors That Influence Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salaries

A Programmable Logic Controller 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 Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Programmable Logic Controller 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): $56,810
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,306
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,092
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $62,667
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,165
Levels Salary
Entry Level Programmable Logic Controller Technician$56,810
Intermediate Level Programmable Logic Controller Technician$57,306
Senior Level Programmable Logic Controller Technician$59,092
Specialist Level Programmable Logic Controller Technician$62,667
Expert Level Programmable Logic Controller Technician$64,165
$56,810 0 yr
$57,306 < 2 yrs
$59,092 2-4 yrs
$62,667 5-8 yrs
$64,165 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Programmable Logic Controller 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:

  • Los Angeles: $59,889
  • West Hollywood: $59,846
  • Dodgertown: $59,888

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Programmable Logic Controller Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,870. While startup companies pay approximate $56,552.

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$56,552
Growth Stage51~500$59,813
Established501~5000$64,576
Enterprise5000+$66,870

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Programmable Logic Controller 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, Programmable Logic Controller Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Programmable Logic Controller Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Programmable Logic Controller Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$92,668$45.055%
MFG Durable$77,722$37.030%
Pharmaceuticals$71,743$34.020%
Aerospace & Defense$68,754$33.015%
Biotechnology$65,764$32.010%

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Programmable Logic Controller 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$53,140
Average $59,786/year
$67,507
$4,428
Average $4,982/month
$5,626
$1,022
Average $1,150/week
$1,298
$26
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,507 $5,626 $1,298 $32
Average $59,786 $4,982 $1,150 $29
25th Percentile $53,140 $4,428 $1,022 $26

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Salary Growth & Career Path

Programmable Logic Controller Technician
Automated Equipment Technician

For a Programmable Logic Controller Technician, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Automated Equipment Technician role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $77,318 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Programmable Logic Controller Technician

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