How much does a Plastics process operatives earn in the UK?
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£29,644
Understanding Plastics process operatives pay in the UK
The typical plastics process operatives in the UK earns a median salary of £29,644 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.
Where you work changes the picture: plastics process operatives pay ranges from £14,712 in North East up to £36,743 in East of England, a difference of £22,031 (150%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see plastics process operatives pay in East of England or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
East of England is the highest-paying region for plastics process operatives at £36,743 — 24% above the UK median. North East is lowest at £14,712.
UK median £29,644
| Region | Median payUK median £29,644 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East of England | £36,743 | £36,743 | £34,533 | +24% |
| South East | £34,528 | £34,528 | £35,772 | +16% |
| Wales | £30,424 | £30,424 | £30,033 | +3% |
| East Midlands | £25,755 | £25,755 | £26,296 | -13% |
| Scotland | £23,978 | £23,978 | £26,600 | -19% |
| West Midlands | £23,410 | £23,410 | £23,881 | -21% |
| South West | £20,981 | £20,981 | £21,828 | -29% |
| North West | £18,786 | £18,786 | £21,686 | -37% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £16,188 | £16,188 | £16,379 | -45% |
| North East | £14,712 | £14,712 | £16,081 | -50% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| East of England £36,743 | £36,743Mean £34,533 | +24% |
| South East £34,528 | £34,528Mean £35,772 | +16% |
| Wales £30,424 | £30,424Mean £30,033 | +3% |
| East Midlands £25,755 | £25,755Mean £26,296 | -13% |
| Scotland £23,978 | £23,978Mean £26,600 | -19% |
| West Midlands £23,410 | £23,410Mean £23,881 | -21% |
| South West £20,981 | £20,981Mean £21,828 | -29% |
| North West £18,786 | £18,786Mean £21,686 | -37% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £16,188 | £16,188Mean £16,379 | -45% |
| North East £14,712 | £14,712Mean £16,081 | -50% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£29,644); ‘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 plastics process operatives pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow plastics process operatives pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for plastics process operatives by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25%–75% range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Related roles in Process Operatives
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