A programmable logic controller (PLC) technician, who is also sometimes called an automation technician, is in charge of installing, maintaining, and fixing programmable logic controller (PLC) systems used in manufacturing and industrial settings. Troubleshooting, making changes, and programming PLC systems are all part of their jobs. Because the manufacturing industry keeps wanting more and more automated processes, there are more jobs for PLC technicians than ever before. The goal of this article is to shed some light on the salaries of programmable logic controller technician PLC technicians and give some information about the factors that go into figuring out their pay.
Salaries for Programmable Logic Controller technician
Programmable Logic Controller technician can expect to make different amounts of salaries depending on a number of things, such as their level of education and experience, as well as the type of business they work for and where they work. In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median salary for electrical and electronics engineering technicians, which includes PLC technicians, was $65,260 per year. Still, based on the factors we talked about earlier in this paragraph, incomes can be anywhere from $40,000 to over $100,000 a year.
Different places have different pay scales
Where a PLC technician works can make a big difference in how much money they make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the three states with the highest average salaries for PLC technicians are Alaska, Wyoming, and Massachusetts. The average wage in Wyoming is $79,320, but the average wage in Massachusetts is only $77,560. In Alaska, the middle wage is $87,270.
Education and how to do your job
The education and experience of a PLC technician are two of the most important factors that affect how much they make. Most companies want applicants to have at least an associate’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. However, some companies may prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree. Most of the time, PLC technicians with more education and experience can get paid more than their counterparts with less education and experience. For example, a technician with a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience can make over $100,000 per year, while a technician with an associate degree and not much experience can make around $40,000. Both of these people work in the field of technology as technicians.
Industry
The type of business where a PLC technician works is often a key factor in figuring out their salary. PLC technicians work in many different fields, such as the manufacturing industry, the utility industry, and the building industry. There might be a difference in pay between different fields. For example, programmable logic controller (PLC) specialists who work in the oil and gas industry might make more money than PLC specialists who work in the manufacturing industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that oil and gas extraction, making computer and peripheral equipment, and making aerospace products and parts paid the most for electrical and electronics engineering technicians in May 2020.
Location
A PLC technician’s salary is also affected by where they work. The cost of living and the need for PLC technicians may be different in different areas. For example, PLC technicians who work in cities are more likely to make more money than their counterparts who work in rural areas. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in May 2020, the most electrical and electronics engineering technicians worked in the states of California, Texas, and Michigan. Michigan and Ohio are two other states with high employment rates.
Certification
Getting certified as a PLC technician could also lead to a raise in pay for the person who has it. Employers sometimes ask for certification from well-known and reliable groups, like the International Society of Automation (ISA). To work with PLC systems, you need to have a certain set of skills and knowledge, which can be shown through certification. Technicians who have certifications may be able to make more money than those who don’t.
Conclusion
Technicians who work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are very important when it comes to automating production and other types of industrial settings. Their pay could be very different depending on many factors, such as their level of education, number of years of experience, certification, industry, and location. With the growing demand for automated systems, the number of trained PLC technicians who are needed also keeps growing. As a PLC technician, you can have a successful and fulfilling job if you have the right education, experience, and certification for the job.
FAQs:
- How do you become a PLC technician? What kinds of degrees and courses do you need?
Most companies want applicants to have at least an associate’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. However, some companies may prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
- How much money can you usually expect to make as a PLC technician?
In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median salary for electrical and electronics engineering technicians, which includes PLC technicians, was $65,260 per year.
