One of the most common and quietly expensive hiring mistakes we see manufacturers make across Metro Atlanta is posting for a PLC Programmer when what they actually need is a PLC Technician.
At first glance, the distinction sounds minor. In reality, these are two very different roles with different responsibilities, compensation levels, and candidate pools. When the wrong title is used in a job posting, the hiring process often becomes longer, more frustrating, and significantly more expensive.
Understanding the difference between these roles can save manufacturers weeks—or even months—of recruiting time.
PLC Programmers and PLC Technicians: Different Jobs, Different Skills
PLC Programmers and PLC Technicians perform distinct functions within a manufacturing environment.
PLC Programmer Responsibilities:
- Writing automation logic from scratch
- Working from engineering specifications
- Developing new control programs
- Supporting automation projects (e.g., new equipment installations, production line upgrades)
- Often working alongside controls engineers, automation engineers, or systems integrators
Many PLC programmers have formal backgrounds in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or industrial automation. Because of this specialized expertise, experienced PLC programmers are relatively rare and usually command higher salaries. Many are already employed by OEMs, integrators, or large manufacturers with dedicated automation teams.
PLC Technician Responsibilities:
- Maintaining and troubleshooting existing automation systems on the production floor
- Diagnosing faults
- Reading ladder logic
- Responding to equipment downtime
- Helping keep automated systems running
Most PLC technicians come from industrial maintenance or electrical technician backgrounds, developing PLC knowledge through hands-on experience over time.
Both roles are critical, but they require very different hiring strategies.
Where the Hiring Confusion Begins
In many cases, the confusion begins with the job posting itself.
Manufacturers often reuse old job descriptions, copy listings from competitors, or rely on templates that do not accurately reflect the role they need to fill. As a result, a posting might say PLC Programmer while describing work that clearly aligns with a PLC Technician position.
When this happens, the wrong candidates apply, the right candidates skip the posting entirely, and the hiring process slows down before it even begins.
This issue is far more common than most organizations realize.
Does PLC Platform Experience Matter?
Manufacturers often ask whether experience with specific PLC platforms—such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi—should be a strict hiring requirement.
The answer depends on the role.
Platform Experience for PLC Programmers:
For PLC Programmers, platform experience typically matters more. Writing automation logic from scratch often requires familiarity with specific programming environments and development tools.
Platform Experience for PLC Technicians:
For PLC Technicians, platform experience is usually less critical than many employers assume.
Technicians with strong troubleshooting skills understand how to read ladder logic, trace inputs and outputs, and diagnose faults across different systems. Those fundamentals often transfer well between platforms. Many experienced technicians can adapt to a new PLC environment faster than expected, so filtering candidates too strictly by platform can unnecessarily limit the available talent pool.
Why PLC Hiring Is Difficult
Even when the role is defined correctly, PLC hiring remains challenging. Across Metro Atlanta, skilled automation professionals are in short supply. As manufacturing facilities invest more heavily in automation and advanced production systems, demand for PLC talent has grown rapidly.
The strongest candidates are typically already employed and rarely spend time searching job boards. Compensation expectations have also increased significantly in recent years as automation expertise has become more valuable.
Manufacturers relying solely on job postings often struggle to attract qualified candidates in this market.
Getting the Role Definition Right From the Start
Manufacturers who successfully fill PLC roles usually begin the process with a clear understanding of the job itself.
This includes:
- Defining what the position actually requires on a daily basis
- Identifying the specific automation platforms used in the facility
- Establishing compensation that reflects current market conditions
Clarity at the beginning of the hiring process makes a significant difference in how quickly the right candidates can be identified.
Hiring PLC Talent in Metro Atlanta
At Impact Staffing, we work with manufacturers across Metro Atlanta to place PLC technicians, controls technicians, automation specialists, and PLC programmers.
Because we understand the difference between these roles and the realities of the local automation talent market, we help employers position their openings correctly from the start.
If your organization has a controls role that has been difficult to fill, or you are not sure how to structure the position, we would be glad to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we help manufacturers connect with skilled automation and controls professionals.