SOC 8131 Process, plant and machine operatives

Paper and wood machine operatives Salary

Median salary £29,640 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £30,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For paper and wood machine operatives, £30,360 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -22% versus the national average. Experienced paper and wood machine operatives (top 25%) earn over £34,771.

About this role

Scaffolders, stagers and riggers erect and dismantle scaffolding, temporary structures, stages and rigging for construction, maintenance, events and entertainment. They work at height following strict safety procedures and industry standards.

Key responsibilities

Erecting and dismantling scaffolding and temporary structures
Inspecting scaffolding for safety and compliance
Rigging equipment for lifting and entertainment
Working at height following CISRS standards
Transporting and handling scaffold tubes and fittings

Qualifications and entry routes

CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) card at appropriate level. NVQ Level 2 in Scaffolding. CSCS card. NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) provides industry standards.

Career outlook

Strong demand with skills shortages. CISRS-carded scaffolders command good rates. Events rigging and offshore scaffolding offer specialist career paths.

Key skills

Scaffolding techniques Working at height Physical strength and fitness Safety awareness Team coordination

Common industries

Construction
Industrial maintenance
Events and entertainment
Offshore oil and gas
Shipbuilding

Data coverage

SOC code 8131

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 13,000

Median Salary

£29,640

Mean Salary

£29,847

Jobs (000s)

13k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £24,267Median: £29,640P75: £34,771

P10: £19kP25: £24kMedian: £30kP75: £35kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£18,958

0-2 years

Mid Level

£24,267

3-7 years

Senior

£34,771

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +83% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +56.3%Real growth: +13.3%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 26.0%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£29,640

Full-time Only

£30,360

Full-time premium: +£720

Paper and wood machine operatives salary: common questions

How much do paper and wood machine operatives earn in the UK?

Paper and wood machine operatives earn a median of £30,360 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £24,267 and £34,771.

Is £30,360 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for paper and wood machine operatives?

Entry-level paper and wood machine operatives typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £24,267, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £18,958.

Have paper and wood machine operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median paper and wood machine operatives pay has risen from £19,278 to £30,360 — +57% in cash terms, or +14% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for paper and wood machine operatives?

Male paper and wood machine operatives earn a median £30,392 and female paper and wood machine operatives £22,500 — a gap of +26% in 2025.

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