SOC 8134 Process, plant and machine operatives

Water and sewerage plant operatives Salary

Median salary £39,057 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £39,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For water and sewerage plant operatives, £39,690 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average. Experienced water and sewerage plant operatives (top 25%) earn over £45,809.

About this role

Construction operatives not elsewhere classified perform general construction tasks beyond specific trades, including groundworking, concreting, steel fixing, demolition and site preparation works.

Key responsibilities

Carrying out groundwork and excavation
Placing and finishing concrete
Fixing steel reinforcement bars
Assisting with demolition and site clearance
Operating small plant and hand tools

Qualifications and entry routes

CSCS card required. Specific competence cards for plant operation. NVQ Level 2 in relevant construction operations. Health and safety training (CITB Health, Safety and Environment test).

Career outlook

Good demand across construction. Experienced groundworkers and steel fixers with plant tickets are particularly sought after.

Key skills

Construction techniques Plant operation Physical fitness Safety awareness Teamwork

Common industries

Construction
Civil engineering
Demolition
Groundworks
Concrete contractors

Data coverage

SOC code 8134

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 11,000

Median Salary

£39,057

Mean Salary

£38,490

Jobs (000s)

11k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £28,849Median: £39,057P75: £45,809

P10: --P25: £29kMedian: £39kP75: £46kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£28,849

0-2 years

Mid Level

£28,849

3-7 years

Senior

£45,809

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +59% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +29.2%Real growth: -6.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£39,057

Full-time Only

£39,690

Full-time premium: +£633

Water and sewerage plant operatives salary: common questions

How much do water and sewerage plant operatives earn in the UK?

Water and sewerage plant operatives earn a median of £39,690 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £28,849 and £45,809.

Is £39,690 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for water and sewerage plant operatives?

Entry-level water and sewerage plant operatives typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £28,849, though this varies by employer and region.

Have water and sewerage plant operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median water and sewerage plant operatives pay has risen from £30,456 to £39,690 — +30% in cash terms, or -6.0% 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).