Steps · Routes · Free path
How to become a PLC programmer
The steps that work, the routes in, and a free way to start today.
To become a PLC programmer, learn the electrical and logic basics, practise ladder logic on a simulator, learn one brand's software in depth (Siemens TIA Portal or Rockwell Studio 5000 are common choices), build a few projects you can explain, then apply for junior controls, maintenance or commissioning roles. You can begin free: the EDWartens TIA Portal course is about 10.5 hours of study.
Updated . By EDWartens, the training division of Wartens Ltd (UK).
The path
Six steps
- Learn the basics. What a PLC is, the scan cycle, 24 V DC, sensors and actuators, sinking and sourcing. See the glossary.
- Practise ladder logic. Use the free browser simulator until timers, counters and sequences feel natural.
- Pick one brand and go deep. Siemens TIA Portal or Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 first; compare them if unsure.
- Add the neighbours. HMI and SCADA, drives, industrial networks and safety, because real jobs mix them.
- Build and document projects. A motor start/stop, a tank filler, a sorter: write the program, test it, explain it. The EDWartens PLC internship and lab give structured projects.
- Apply for the first role. Junior controls, maintenance, commissioning or technician roles. Ask for a task or interview you can prepare for.
Entry routes
Ways in
These are general routes, not guarantees. Rules and names differ by country.
Degree or diploma
Electrical, electronics, instrumentation, mechatronics or mechanical engineering. Add PLC practice during the course.
Apprenticeship or trainee scheme
Learn on the job in maintenance or controls. Check your country's government apprenticeship site for current schemes.
Maintenance or electrician background
Move into controls by adding PLC and troubleshooting skills.
See the simulationSelf-study plus projects
Free courses, a simulator and a portfolio. Slower to be trusted, but possible.
See the simulationPay
What PLC work pays
It varies by country, industry and experience, and this page deliberately quotes no number. Use a named, dated source for your country and compare several adverts before you decide.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree to become a PLC programmer?
Not always. Many employers hire from diplomas, apprenticeships and electrical or maintenance backgrounds as well as degrees. A degree in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, mechatronics or mechanical engineering is a common route, and what interviews test is whether you can read a process and write a working program.
How long does it take to learn PLC programming?
The basics take weeks, not years. The free EDWartens Siemens TIA Portal course is about 10.5 hours of study. Becoming employable usually takes longer: several projects, one brand in depth and time on real or simulated machines.
Which PLC should I learn first?
Learn the ideas on a simulator first (ladder logic transfers across brands), then the brand your target employers use. Siemens and Rockwell Allen-Bradley are both widely used; read adverts for the roles you want.
How much does a PLC programmer earn?
It depends on the country, industry and experience, so this page quotes no figure. Use a dated public source for your country, such as your national statistics office or current job adverts, and compare several.
Can I learn PLC programming for free?
Yes. EDWartens teaches PLC programming free on its courses and lab, with an optional paid certificate. You still need practice: a portfolio of programs you can explain is what employers look for.
Will a certificate get me a job?
No certificate does that on its own. It is evidence you finished learning. Employers decide on skills shown in an interview or task, experience and fit. EDWartens does not promise jobs.
Sources and how this page was checked
- EDWartens free courses: durations and content from our own course records.
- No pay figure quoted: no named public source with a date was used for pay on this page, so none is stated.
Keep reading
EDWartens does not promise jobs, accreditation or earnings. Courses and internships are training.