SOC 8119 Process, plant and machine operatives

Process operatives n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £30,843 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £31,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For process operatives n.e.c., £31,717 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -19% versus the national average.

About this role

Process operatives not elsewhere classified work in manufacturing and processing environments not covered by specific codes, operating machinery to produce a range of products from paper to building materials to consumer goods.

Key responsibilities

Operating production machinery and equipment
Monitoring output quality and production processes
Following standard operating procedures
Maintaining equipment and reporting faults
Recording production data

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications typically required. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Manufacturing Operations. Fork-lift truck certification may be needed.

Career outlook

Automation is changing manufacturing operations. Operatives who can work with computerised systems and manage exception processes are increasingly valued.

Key skills

Machine operation Quality awareness Safety compliance Reliability Teamwork

Common industries

General manufacturing
Building products
Consumer goods
Paper and packaging
Assembly operations

Data coverage

SOC code 8119

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 14,000

Median Salary

£30,843

Mean Salary

£32,313

Jobs (000s)

14k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £25,764Median: £30,843

P10: --P25: £26kMedian: £31kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£25,764

0-2 years

Mid Level

£25,764

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +15.2%Real growth: -16.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 20.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£30,843

Full-time Only

£31,717

Full-time premium: +£874

Process operatives n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do process operatives n.e.c. earn in the UK?

Process operatives n.e.c. earn a median of £31,717 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £31,717 a good salary in the UK?

For process operatives n.e.c., £31,717 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -19% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for process operatives n.e.c.?

Entry-level process operatives n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £25,764, though this varies by employer and region.

Have process operatives n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median process operatives n.e.c. pay has risen from £26,389 to £31,717 — +20% in cash terms, or -13% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for process operatives n.e.c.?

Male process operatives n.e.c. earn a median £31,880 and female process operatives n.e.c. £25,224 — a gap of +21% in 2025.

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