SOC 8112 Process, plant and machine operatives

Textile process operatives Salary

Median salary £25,572 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £26,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For textile process operatives, £27,915 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -28% versus the national average.

About this role

Glass and ceramics process operatives operate machinery in glass manufacturing, pottery, ceramic tile and brick production. They form, fire, finish and inspect glass and ceramic products across industrial and artisan production environments.

Key responsibilities

Operating glass-forming or ceramics production machinery
Monitoring kiln temperatures and firing processes
Inspecting products for quality and defects
Handling and finishing delicate glass or ceramic products
Following safety procedures for hot work and dust exposure

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications typically required. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Manufacturing Operations available. Health and safety training for working with glass and high temperatures.

Career outlook

Niche manufacturing sector. Specialist glass production (architectural, scientific, automotive) offers more stable employment than traditional pottery.

Key skills

Machine operation Quality inspection Heat process management Physical dexterity Safety awareness

Common industries

Glass manufacturing
Pottery and ceramics
Brick and tile production
Scientific glassware
Architectural glass

Data coverage

SOC code 8112

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 9,000

Median Salary

£25,572

Mean Salary

£26,589

Jobs (000s)

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £21,408Median: £25,572

P10: --P25: £21kMedian: £26kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£21,408

0-2 years

Mid Level

£21,408

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +29.5%Real growth: -6.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 28.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£25,572

Full-time Only

£27,915

Full-time premium: +£2,343

Textile process operatives salary: common questions

How much do textile process operatives earn in the UK?

Textile process operatives earn a median of £27,915 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £27,915 a good salary in the UK?

For textile process operatives, £27,915 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -28% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for textile process operatives?

Entry-level textile process operatives typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £21,408, though this varies by employer and region.

Have textile process operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median textile process operatives pay has risen from £20,787 to £27,915 — +34% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for textile process operatives?

Male textile process operatives earn a median £27,440 and female textile process operatives £19,519 — a gap of +29% in 2025.

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