SOC 8132 Process, plant and machine operatives

Mining and quarry workers and related operatives Salary

Median salary £38,301 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £38,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For mining and quarry workers and related operatives, £38,301 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -2.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Road construction operatives operate road building machinery, lay asphalt, install kerbs and drainage, and maintain road surfaces. They work on highways, residential roads and infrastructure projects.

Key responsibilities

Operating road construction and resurfacing machinery
Laying asphalt, tarmac and road surface materials
Installing kerbs, drainage and road markings
Maintaining road surfaces and carrying out repairs
Working safely in live traffic environments

Qualifications and entry routes

CSCS card required. CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) for plant operations. NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) qualifications for utility work. Street works supervisor card for overseeing works.

Career outlook

Road maintenance backlog and infrastructure investment sustain demand. CPCS plant operation qualifications open up additional career opportunities.

Key skills

Plant operation Road construction techniques Safety in live traffic Physical fitness Teamwork

Common industries

Highways contractors
Local authority highways
Civil engineering
Utilities
Housing developers

Data coverage

SOC code 8132

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Median Salary

£38,301

Mean Salary

£39,714

Jobs (000s)

N/A

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

Median: £38,301

P10: --P25: --Median: £38kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Mid Level

£38,301

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +36.0%Real growth: +10.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£38,301

Full-time Only

£38,301

Full-time premium: +£0

Mining and quarry workers and related operatives salary: common questions

How much do mining and quarry workers and related operatives earn in the UK?

Mining and quarry workers and related operatives earn a median of £38,301 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £38,301 a good salary in the UK?

For mining and quarry workers and related operatives, £38,301 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -2.0% versus the national average.

Have mining and quarry workers and related operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median mining and quarry workers and related operatives pay has risen from £30,263 to £38,301 — +27% in cash terms, or +2.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

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