Metal machining setters and setter-operators salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£35,394
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Metal machining setters and setter-operators pay in the UK
The typical metal machining setters and setter-operators in the UK earns a median salary of £35,394 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 metal machining setters and setter-operators earnings fall between £29,047 and £42,591 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced metal machining setters and setter-operators.
Where you work changes the picture: metal machining setters and setter-operators pay ranges from £28,496 in Wales up to £36,938 in South West, a difference of £8,442 (30%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see metal machining setters and setter-operators pay in South West or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
South West is the highest-paying region for metal machining setters and setter-operators at £36,938 — 4% above the UK median. Wales is lowest at £28,496.
UK median £35,394
| Region | Median payUK median £35,394 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West | £36,938 | £36,938 | £36,456 | +4% |
| South East | £36,504 | £36,504 | £39,346 | +3% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £36,476 | £36,476 | £37,453 | +3% |
| Scotland | £36,394 | £36,394 | £40,156 | +3% |
| East of England | £35,836 | £35,836 | £36,228 | +1% |
| East Midlands | £35,387 | £35,387 | £37,028 | ±0% |
| North East | £33,847 | £33,847 | £37,158 | -4% |
| London | £33,123 | £33,123 | £37,028 | -6% |
| West Midlands | £33,025 | £33,025 | £33,158 | -7% |
| North West | £32,985 | £32,985 | £36,212 | -7% |
| Wales | £28,496 | £28,496 | £30,724 | -19% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| South West £36,938 | £36,938Mean £36,456 | +4% |
| South East £36,504 | £36,504Mean £39,346 | +3% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £36,476 | £36,476Mean £37,453 | +3% |
| Scotland £36,394 | £36,394Mean £40,156 | +3% |
| East of England £35,836 | £35,836Mean £36,228 | +1% |
| East Midlands £35,387 | £35,387Mean £37,028 | ±0% |
| North East £33,847 | £33,847Mean £37,158 | -4% |
| London £33,123 | £33,123Mean £37,028 | -6% |
| West Midlands £33,025 | £33,025Mean £33,158 | -7% |
| North West £32,985 | £32,985Mean £36,212 | -7% |
| Wales £28,496 | £28,496Mean £30,724 | -19% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£35,394); ‘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 metal machining setters and setter-operators pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow metal machining setters and setter-operators pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for metal machining setters and setter-operators 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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