Plastics process operatives roles in the UK earn a median of £32,500 per year, equivalent to £15.06 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 21.2% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £24,500 in West Midlands to £38,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £32,644/yr (0% below our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£32,500
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£15.06
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+21.2%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£27,500 – £38,500
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Plastics process operatives across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| London | £38,500 |
| East | £37,500 |
| South East | £34,000 |
| Scotland | £33,000 |
| South West | £31,500 |
| North West | £31,000 |
| East Midlands | £31,000 |
| Wales | £31,000 |
| North East | £30,500 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £30,500 |
| West Midlands | £24,500 |
| UK | £32,500 |
Annual pay grew by +21.2% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Plastics process operatives.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Plastics process operatives in the UK is £32,500 per year (about £15.06 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Plastics process operatives earn between £27,500 and £38,500 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Plastics process operatives pay rose by 21.2% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Plastics process operatives is in London, at £38,500 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Plastics process operatives roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Plastics process operatives attend and operate moulding, extruding, thermoforming, calendering, covering, cutting and other process equipment to make and repair plastic products.
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job, supplemented by specialised courses. NVQs/SVQs in Performing Manufacturing Operations at levels 1 and 2 and apprenticeships are available.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.