SOC 9139 Elementary trades and related occupations

Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £28,600 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £29,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For elementary process plant occupations n.e.c., £29,619 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -24% versus the national average. Experienced elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. (top 25%) earn over £33,416.

About this role

Elementary cleaning occupations not elsewhere classified include roles in office cleaning, domestic cleaning, window cleaning and general cleaning services across residential, commercial and public sector environments.

Key responsibilities

Cleaning offices, buildings and communal areas
Vacuuming, mopping and polishing floors
Cleaning bathrooms, kitchens and public areas
Emptying bins and managing waste
Replenishing supplies and reporting maintenance issues

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications required. On-the-job training provided. BICSc qualifications for professional development. Window cleaners may need working at height training.

Career outlook

Consistent demand across all sectors. Self-employment opportunities in domestic and specialist cleaning. Supervisory progression available within larger cleaning companies.

Key skills

Cleaning techniques Reliability Physical fitness Time management Attention to detail

Common industries

Contract cleaning companies
NHS
Schools
Office buildings
Domestic cleaning services

Data coverage

SOC code 9139

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 41,000

Median Salary

£28,600

Mean Salary

£28,429

Jobs (000s)

41k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £23,399Median: £28,600P75: £33,416

P10: £18kP25: £23kMedian: £29kP75: £33kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£17,715

0-2 years

Mid Level

£23,399

3-7 years

Senior

£33,416

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +89% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +53.6%Real growth: +11.3%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 19.3%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£28,600

Full-time Only

£29,619

Full-time premium: +£1,019

Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. earn in the UK?

Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. earn a median of £29,619 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £23,399 and £33,416.

Is £29,619 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for elementary process plant occupations n.e.c.?

Entry-level elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £23,399, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £17,715.

Have elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. pay has risen from £19,312 to £29,619 — +53% in cash terms, or +11% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for elementary process plant occupations n.e.c.?

Male elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. earn a median £29,693 and female elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. £23,966 — a gap of +19% in 2025.

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