SOC 8143 Process, plant and machine operatives

Routine inspectors and testers Salary

Median salary £33,982 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £34,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For routine inspectors and testers, £34,360 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -12% versus the national average. Experienced routine inspectors and testers (top 25%) earn over £42,588.

About this role

Routine inspectors and testers check manufactured products, components and materials for quality, conformance to specifications and fitness for purpose. They conduct visual, dimensional and functional checks at various stages of production.

Key responsibilities

Inspecting products and components against specifications
Conducting visual, dimensional and functional quality checks
Recording inspection results and identifying non-conformances
Operating measuring instruments and test equipment
Reporting quality issues to supervisors and production teams

Qualifications and entry routes

On-the-job training in inspection techniques. NVQ Level 2 in quality control is available. Knowledge of measuring instruments (micrometers, callipers, gauges) is essential. Some roles require understanding of specific standards.

Career outlook

Demand follows manufacturing activity. Automated inspection is growing, but human inspectors remain essential for complex and safety-critical products.

Key skills

Quality inspection Measurement techniques Attention to detail Record keeping Standards awareness

Common industries

Manufacturing
Automotive
Aerospace
Food production
Pharmaceutical

Data coverage

SOC code 8143

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 36,000

Median Salary

£33,982

Mean Salary

£35,858

Jobs (000s)

36k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £27,159Median: £33,982P75: £42,588

P10: £24kP25: £27kMedian: £34kP75: £43kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£23,837

0-2 years

Mid Level

£27,159

3-7 years

Senior

£42,588

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +79% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +56.2%Real growth: +13.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 22.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£33,982

Full-time Only

£34,360

Full-time premium: +£378

Routine inspectors and testers salary: common questions

How much do routine inspectors and testers earn in the UK?

Routine inspectors and testers earn a median of £34,360 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £27,159 and £42,588.

Is £34,360 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for routine inspectors and testers?

Entry-level routine inspectors and testers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £27,159, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £23,837.

Have routine inspectors and testers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median routine inspectors and testers pay has risen from £22,520 to £34,360 — +53% in cash terms, or +11% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for routine inspectors and testers?

Male routine inspectors and testers earn a median £36,517 and female routine inspectors and testers £28,404 — a gap of +22% in 2025.

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