Chemical and related process operatives roles in the UK earn a median of £35,000 per year, equivalent to £15.70 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 4.1% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £30,500 in West Midlands to £40,000 in London. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £33,959/yr (3% above our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£35,000
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£15.70
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+4.1%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£29,500 – £43,000
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Chemical and related process operatives across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| London | £40,000 |
| Scotland | £39,000 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £36,500 |
| South East | £36,000 |
| North West | £35,000 |
| South West | £32,500 |
| East | £32,500 |
| Wales | £32,000 |
| North East | £32,000 |
| East Midlands | £31,000 |
| West Midlands | £30,500 |
| UK | £35,000 |
Annual pay grew by +4.1% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Chemical and related process operatives.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Chemical and related process operatives in the UK is £35,000 per year (about £15.70 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Chemical and related process operatives earn between £29,500 and £43,000 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Chemical and related process operatives pay rose by 4.1% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Chemical and related process operatives is in London, at £40,000 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Chemical and related process operatives roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Chemical and related process operatives operate machinery in the processing of chemical and related materials by chemical, heat or other treatment, manufacture synthetic materials and bleach, dye or otherwise treat textiles, and treat hides, skins and pelts for making into fur, leather and skin products.
There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers require entrants to possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by specialised training courses. Vocational qualifications in Process Technology at levels 2 and 3 and apprenticeships are available.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.