SOC 8115 Process, plant and machine operatives

Metal making and treating process operatives Salary

Median salary £31,893 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £32,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For metal making and treating process operatives, £32,871 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -16% versus the national average.

About this role

Rubber process operatives operate machinery in rubber manufacturing, producing tyres, seals, hoses, belts and other rubber products. They mix rubber compounds, operate moulding and extrusion equipment and check quality against specifications.

Key responsibilities

Operating rubber mixing, moulding and extrusion machinery
Mixing rubber compounds to formulations
Setting up and adjusting machinery for production runs
Inspecting products for defects and dimensional accuracy
Maintaining equipment and following safety procedures

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications typically required. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Polymer Processing available.

Career outlook

Niche manufacturing sector with steady demand. Automotive and medical rubber products offer the most stable opportunities.

Key skills

Machine operation Quality inspection Compound knowledge Physical strength Safety awareness

Common industries

Tyre manufacturing
Rubber seals and gaskets
Industrial hose production
Automotive components
Medical rubber products

Data coverage

SOC code 8115

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 12,000

Median Salary

£31,893

Mean Salary

£32,814

Jobs (000s)

12k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £25,854Median: £31,893

P10: £23kP25: £26kMedian: £32kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£22,879

0-2 years

Mid Level

£25,854

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +34.5%Real growth: -2.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£31,893

Full-time Only

£32,871

Full-time premium: +£978

Metal making and treating process operatives salary: common questions

How much do metal making and treating process operatives earn in the UK?

Metal making and treating process operatives earn a median of £32,871 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £32,871 a good salary in the UK?

For metal making and treating process operatives, £32,871 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -16% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for metal making and treating process operatives?

Entry-level metal making and treating process operatives typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £25,854, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £22,879.

Have metal making and treating process operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median metal making and treating process operatives pay has risen from £24,633 to £32,871 — +33% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

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