Metal machining setters and setter-operators roles in the UK earn a median of £35,000 per year, equivalent to £17.65 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 5.2% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £28,500 in Wales to £37,500 in Scotland. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £35,718/yr (2% below our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£35,000
as of 2025
Modelled estimateMedian Hourly Pay
£17.65
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+5.2%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£28,000 – £44,500
25th – 75th percentile
UK Employment (2024)
~50,000
estimated employees
45 of 180 areas not disclosed by ONS
Employment Change
2021–2024
2021: ~28,000 → 2024: ~50,000
Market Signal
Growing marketPay and employment are both rising — competition for workers is increasing.
Employment figures from ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). Counts are estimates; suppressed cells (small samples) are excluded from totals.
Median annual pay for Metal machining setters and setter-operators across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Scotland | £37,500 |
| South West | £37,500 |
| South East | £37,500 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £36,500 |
| North West | £35,000 |
| East Midlands | £35,000 |
| North East | £34,000 |
| West Midlands | £33,500 |
| London | £33,000 |
| Wales | £28,500 |
| UK | £35,000 |
Annual pay grew by +5.2% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Metal machining setters and setter-operators.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Metal machining setters and setter-operators roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Metal machining setters and setter-operators operate machines to drill, bore, grind, cut, mill or otherwise shape metal workpieces.
There are no formal academic requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Engineering apprenticeships, BTEC and City and Guilds qualifications are available together with on-the-job training. NVQs/ SVQs at level 2 and 3 are available.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.