Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations Pay Data UK — 2025

Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations roles in the UK earn a median of £40,000 per year, equivalent to £19.65 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 6.8% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £35,500 in East Midlands to £46,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £37,058/yr (8% above our computed national average).

Labour Market

Employment figures from ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). Counts are estimates; suppressed cells (small samples) are excluded from totals.

Pay by Region

Annual pay for Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations across UK regions. The bar shows the typical pay range (25th–75th percentile); the diamond marks the median.

Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).

How Pay Has Changed Over Time

Annual pay grew by +6.8% from 2024 to 2025.

National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot. Shaded band shows 25th–75th percentile range.

Year-on-Year Pay Change

Annual percentage change in median pay for Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations.

Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.

About Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations

Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations mark off, drill, shape, position, rivet and seal metal plates and girders to form structures and frameworks operate power hammers and presses to shape heated metal to requirements and to make and repair a variety of metal articles and make moulds and cores for casting metal and pour or inject molten metal into dies.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• examines drawings and specifications to determine operational requirements
• marks out metal plate with guidelines and reference points and cuts metal plate using hand or machine tools
• uses machine tools to bend, curve, punch, drill and straighten metal plate as required
• uses hydraulic jacks to position and align metal platework or frame for welding and bolting and rivets together metal plate and girders
• creates mould units out of sand, loam or plaster by hand or machine and fits cores into mould to form hollow parts in casting
• seals seams with caulking compound, smooths welds, fixes metal doors, metal collars, portholes, tank and hatch covers and performs other metal plate finishing tasks using a variety of hand and power tools
• heats metal for forging and positions heated metal on anvil or other work surface
• operates press or hammer and repositions workpiece between strokes
• uses forging tools to shape and cut metal and bends or shapes metal by hand forging methods using hammers, punches, drifts and other hand tools
• tempers and hardens forged pieces, as required, by quenching in oil or water
• fits and secures horses shoes
• scoops molten metal from furnace into die or die casting machine

Entry Routes and Qualifications

Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is usually via apprenticeship including practical experience and technical training. NVQs at levels 2 and 3 are available.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.