SOC 1121 Corporate managers and directors

Production managers and directors in manufacturing Salary

Median salary £52,885 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £53,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For production managers and directors in manufacturing, £58,640 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +50% versus the national average. Experienced production managers and directors in manufacturing (top 25%) earn over £79,741.

About this role

Production managers and directors in manufacturing oversee manufacturing and production operations, ensuring output targets are met while maintaining quality, safety and cost efficiency. They coordinate teams, manage supply chains and drive continuous improvement in production processes.

Key responsibilities

Planning and scheduling production to meet demand forecasts
Managing quality control systems and safety compliance
Optimising production costs and minimising waste
Leading and developing production teams
Implementing lean manufacturing and process improvements

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in engineering, manufacturing or business management, plus significant operational experience. Professional qualifications such as NEBOSH or Six Sigma are valued.

Career outlook

Demand is strong in advanced manufacturing. Automation and Industry 4.0 skills are increasingly sought after.

Key skills

Production planning Lean manufacturing Team leadership Quality management Health and safety compliance

Common industries

Manufacturing
Food and drink production
Pharmaceuticals
Automotive
Aerospace

Data coverage

SOC code 1121

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 479,000

Median Salary

£52,885

Mean Salary

£64,381

Jobs (000s)

479k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £13kP25: £34kMedian: £53kP75: £80kP90: £115k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£12,576

0-2 years

Mid Level

£33,691

3-7 years

Senior

£79,741

8-15 years

Leadership

£115,012

15+ years

Potential career growth: +815% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +29.9%Real growth: -5.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 18.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£52,885

Full-time Only

£58,640

Full-time premium: +£5,755

Production managers and directors in manufacturing salary: common questions

How much do production managers and directors in manufacturing earn in the UK?

Production managers and directors in manufacturing earn a median of £58,640 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £33,691 and £79,741.

Is £58,640 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for production managers and directors in manufacturing?

Entry-level production managers and directors in manufacturing typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £33,691, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £12,576.

How much do the highest-paid production managers and directors in manufacturing earn?

The best-paid 10% of production managers and directors in manufacturing earn over £115,012 a year, and the top 25% over £79,741 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have production managers and directors in manufacturing salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median production managers and directors in manufacturing pay has risen from £44,728 to £58,640 — +31% in cash terms, or -5.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for production managers and directors in manufacturing?

Male production managers and directors in manufacturing earn a median £55,700 and female production managers and directors in manufacturing £45,177 — a gap of +19% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).