SOC 8160 Process, plant and machine operatives

Production, factory and assembly supervisors Salary

Median salary £35,092 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £35,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For production, factory and assembly supervisors, £36,777 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -6.0% versus the national average. Experienced production, factory and assembly supervisors (top 25%) earn over £45,764.

About this role

Production, factory and assembly supervisors operate machinery, equipment or production lines in manufacturing, processing or industrial environments. They monitor processes, maintain quality standards, follow safety procedures and ensure production targets are met efficiently.

Key responsibilities

Setting up and operating machinery or production equipment
Monitoring production processes and output quality
Performing routine maintenance and reporting faults
Following health and safety procedures and wearing PPE
Meeting production targets and recording output data

Qualifications and entry routes

Formal qualifications are not always required, though NVQ Level 2 in relevant operations is common. Many roles provide comprehensive on-the-job training. Fork-lift truck (FLT) certification or specific machine certifications may be needed.

Career outlook

Automation is changing the nature of these roles, with increasing demand for operatives who can work with computerised and robotic systems.

Key skills

Machine operation Quality awareness Attention to detail Physical stamina Safety consciousness

Common industries

Manufacturing
Food processing
Automotive
Pharmaceuticals
Packaging

Data coverage

SOC code 8160

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 24,000

Median Salary

£35,092

Mean Salary

£38,619

Jobs (000s)

24k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £29,178Median: £35,092P75: £45,764

P10: £25kP25: £29kMedian: £35kP75: £46kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,609

0-2 years

Mid Level

£29,178

3-7 years

Senior

£45,764

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +86% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +34.2%Real growth: +8.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 18.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£35,092

Full-time Only

£36,777

Full-time premium: +£1,685

Production, factory and assembly supervisors salary: common questions

How much do production, factory and assembly supervisors earn in the UK?

Production, factory and assembly supervisors earn a median of £36,777 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £29,178 and £45,764.

Is £36,777 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for production, factory and assembly supervisors?

Entry-level production, factory and assembly supervisors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £29,178, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £24,609.

Have production, factory and assembly supervisors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median production, factory and assembly supervisors pay has risen from £29,468 to £36,777 — +25% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for production, factory and assembly supervisors?

Male production, factory and assembly supervisors earn a median £37,757 and female production, factory and assembly supervisors £30,841 — a gap of +18% in 2025.

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