SOC 8229 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £36,408 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £36,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c., £37,864 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -3.0% versus the national average. Experienced mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. (top 25%) earn over £45,225.

About this role

Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. operate vehicles to transport goods, passengers or materials safely and efficiently. They follow traffic regulations, maintain their vehicles, manage delivery schedules and ensure the safe handling of their cargo or passengers.

Key responsibilities

Operating vehicles safely and in compliance with road traffic law
Planning routes and managing delivery or service schedules
Conducting vehicle checks and reporting defects
Loading, securing and unloading cargo where applicable
Maintaining accurate records (tachograph, delivery logs)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a valid driving licence for the vehicle category. LGV (Category C/C+E) or PCV (Category D) requires additional training, medical examination and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). ADR certification is needed for hazardous goods.

Career outlook

Significant driver shortage, particularly for LGV drivers. Improved pay and conditions are being offered across the logistics sector.

Key skills

Safe driving Route planning Vehicle maintenance awareness Time management Customer service

Common industries

Logistics and distribution
Public transport
Haulage
Passenger services
Construction

Data coverage

SOC code 8229

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 38,000

Median Salary

£36,408

Mean Salary

£38,319

Jobs (000s)

38k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £29,392Median: £36,408P75: £45,225

P10: £25kP25: £29kMedian: £36kP75: £45kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£25,196

0-2 years

Mid Level

£29,392

3-7 years

Senior

£45,225

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +79% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +40.1%Real growth: +1.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 32.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£36,408

Full-time Only

£37,864

Full-time premium: +£1,456

Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. earn in the UK?

Mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. earn a median of £37,864 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £29,392 and £45,225.

Is £37,864 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c.?

Entry-level mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £29,392, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £25,196.

Have mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. pay has risen from £26,149 to £37,864 — +45% in cash terms, or +5.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c.?

Male mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. earn a median £38,367 and female mobile machine drivers and operatives n.e.c. £25,757 — a gap of +33% in 2025.

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