Food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£27,267
Typical Annual pay range
Employment patterns
- 81% of Food, drink work full-time
- 6% are self-employed
- 91% of employees have permanent contracts
Understanding Food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay in the UK
The typical food, drink and tobacco process operatives in the UK earns a median salary of £27,267 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 food, drink and tobacco process operatives earnings fall between £22,837 and £33,002 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced food, drink and tobacco process operatives.
Where you work changes the picture: food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay ranges from £25,873 in Yorkshire and the Humber up to £28,052 in West Midlands, a difference of £2,179 (8%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay in West Midlands or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
West Midlands is the highest-paying region for food, drink and tobacco process operatives at £28,052 — 3% above the UK median. Yorkshire and the Humber is lowest at £25,873.
UK median £27,267
| Region | Median payUK median £27,267 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | £28,052 | £28,052 | £28,333 | +3% |
| East of England | £27,917 | £27,917 | £27,422 | +2% |
| Scotland | £27,681 | £27,681 | £28,985 | +2% |
| North East | £27,669 | £27,669 | £30,603 | +1% |
| East Midlands | £27,521 | £27,521 | £27,557 | +1% |
| London | £27,451 | £27,451 | £27,071 | +1% |
| South West | £26,734 | £26,734 | £27,395 | -2% |
| Wales | £26,598 | £26,598 | £28,800 | -2% |
| South East | £26,527 | £26,527 | £25,528 | -3% |
| North West | £25,920 | £25,920 | £25,569 | -5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £25,873 | £25,873 | £27,664 | -5% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands £28,052 | £28,052Mean £28,333 | +3% |
| East of England £27,917 | £27,917Mean £27,422 | +2% |
| Scotland £27,681 | £27,681Mean £28,985 | +2% |
| North East £27,669 | £27,669Mean £30,603 | +1% |
| East Midlands £27,521 | £27,521Mean £27,557 | +1% |
| London £27,451 | £27,451Mean £27,071 | +1% |
| South West £26,734 | £26,734Mean £27,395 | -2% |
| Wales £26,598 | £26,598Mean £28,800 | -2% |
| South East £26,527 | £26,527Mean £25,528 | -3% |
| North West £25,920 | £25,920Mean £25,569 | -5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £25,873 | £25,873Mean £27,664 | -5% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£27,267); ‘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 food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for food, drink and tobacco process operatives by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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