SOC 3116 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Planning, process and production technicians Salary

Median salary £36,062 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £36,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For planning, process and production technicians, £36,895 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -5.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Planning, process and production technicians support manufacturing and process industries by monitoring production processes, maintaining quality standards, optimising workflows and ensuring output meets specifications and efficiency targets.

Key responsibilities

Monitoring and controlling production processes and equipment
Conducting quality inspections and ensuring product specifications are met
Optimising production schedules and workflow efficiency
Maintaining production records, logs and quality documentation
Implementing process improvements and troubleshooting issues

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires an HNC/HND or apprenticeship in manufacturing, process technology or a related engineering discipline. Six Sigma, lean manufacturing and quality management certifications are valued.

Career outlook

Automation and Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming production environments, creating demand for technicians who can work with computerised systems and data analytics.

Key skills

Process monitoring Quality management Production planning Data analysis Lean principles

Common industries

Manufacturing
Food and drink production
Pharmaceuticals
Chemical processing
Automotive

Data coverage

SOC code 3116

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 49,000

Median Salary

£36,062

Mean Salary

£40,542

Jobs (000s)

49k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £29,067Median: £36,062

P10: £25kP25: £29kMedian: £36kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,792

0-2 years

Mid Level

£29,067

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +22.6%Real growth: -11.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 10.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£36,062

Full-time Only

£36,895

Full-time premium: +£833

Planning, process and production technicians salary: common questions

How much do planning, process and production technicians earn in the UK?

Planning, process and production technicians earn a median of £36,895 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £36,895 a good salary in the UK?

For planning, process and production technicians, £36,895 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -5.0% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for planning, process and production technicians?

Entry-level planning, process and production technicians typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £29,067, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £24,792.

Have planning, process and production technicians salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median planning, process and production technicians pay has risen from £30,098 to £36,895 — +23% in cash terms, or -11% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for planning, process and production technicians?

Male planning, process and production technicians earn a median £37,634 and female planning, process and production technicians £33,796 — a gap of +10% in 2025.

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