Chemical and related process operatives salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£33,531
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Chemical and related process operatives pay in the UK
The typical chemical and related process operatives in the UK earns a median salary of £33,531 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of chemical and related process operatives earnings fall between £27,199 and £41,953 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced chemical and related process operatives.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £36,311. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical chemical and related process operatives actually takes home.
Where you work changes the picture: chemical and related process operatives pay ranges from £21,031 in Wales up to £39,079 in Scotland, a difference of £18,048 (86%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see chemical and related process operatives pay in Scotland or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
Scotland is the highest-paying region for chemical and related process operatives at £39,079 — 17% above the UK median. Wales is lowest at £21,031.
UK median £33,531
| Region | Median payUK median £33,531 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £39,079 | £39,079 | £42,149 | +17% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £36,347 | £36,347 | £42,232 | +8% |
| North West | £33,890 | £33,890 | £37,058 | +1% |
| East of England | £32,244 | £32,244 | £36,676 | -4% |
| North East | £30,461 | £30,461 | £30,895 | -9% |
| South West | £30,174 | £30,174 | £34,011 | -10% |
| West Midlands | £29,933 | £29,933 | £30,338 | -11% |
| East Midlands | £28,756 | £28,756 | £28,002 | -14% |
| South East | £28,051 | £28,051 | £27,252 | -16% |
| Wales | £21,031 | £21,031 | £21,961 | -37% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland £39,079 | £39,079Mean £42,149 | +17% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £36,347 | £36,347Mean £42,232 | +8% |
| North West £33,890 | £33,890Mean £37,058 | +1% |
| East of England £32,244 | £32,244Mean £36,676 | -4% |
| North East £30,461 | £30,461Mean £30,895 | -9% |
| South West £30,174 | £30,174Mean £34,011 | -10% |
| West Midlands £29,933 | £29,933Mean £30,338 | -11% |
| East Midlands £28,756 | £28,756Mean £28,002 | -14% |
| South East £28,051 | £28,051Mean £27,252 | -16% |
| Wales £21,031 | £21,031Mean £21,961 | -37% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£33,531); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local chemical and related process operatives pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow chemical and related process operatives pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for chemical and related process operatives by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Related roles in Process Operatives
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →