Production and process engineers: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time production and process engineers in the UK earned a median £47,946 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 23% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 68th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The middle half of full-time jobs paid between £39,642 and £58,754.
Median full-time pay: women £46,912 a year, men £48,023 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 58,000 employee jobs, 97% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 15.8%, from £41,402, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 56,900 people in this line of work, 18% of them in North West.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £29,929 | £590.10 | £15.42 | £29,105 | £579.40 | £15.08 |
| 20th percentile | £37,257 | £716.40 | £18.45 | £37,042 | £699.30 | £18.36 |
| 25th percentile | £39,642 | £758.40 | £19.62 | £39,425 | £732.50 | £19.58 |
| 30th percentile | £41,564 | £807.70 | £20.93 | £41,190 | £804.10 | £20.93 |
| 40th percentile | £44,847 | £855.40 | £22.52 | £44,493 | £850.50 | £22.55 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £47,946 | £933.90 | £23.79 | £47,711 | £931.60 | £23.91 |
| 60th percentile | £52,268 | £998.90 | £26.15 | £52,228 | £994.80 | £26.24 |
| 70th percentile | £56,265 | £1,074.80 | £28.06 | £55,888 | £1,071.60 | £28.36 |
| 75th percentile | £58,754 | £1,121.10 | £29.21 | £58,527 | £1,113.20 | £29.38 |
| 80th percentile | £60,141* | £1,173.80 | £30.55 | £60,008 | £1,168.00 | £30.58 |
| Mean | £50,894 | £975.20 | £25.33 | £50,261 | £960.80 | £25.37 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £41,402 | £769.30 | £20.13 | £40,998 | £766.60 | 66 |
| 2022 revised | £41,418 | £802.60 | £21.06 | £41,185 | £798.20 | 60 |
| 2023 revised | £44,011 | £860.10 | £22.07 | £43,725 | £856.10 | 59 |
| 2024 revised | £45,033 | £911.40 | £23.15 | £44,988 | £894.80 | 56 |
| 2025 provisional | £47,946 | £933.90 | £23.79 | £47,711 | £931.60 | 58 |
Production and process engineers by region
UK: 56,900 (± 9,300), April 2025 to March 2026. 11 of the 12 regions and nations have samples too small to publish.
| Region or nation | People in employment | 95% confidence interval |
|---|---|---|
| North West | 10,500* | ± 3,900 |
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What production and process engineers do
Production and process engineers advise on and direct technical aspects of production programmes to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This unit group incorporates: planning and quality control engineers who plan production schedules, work sequences, and manufacturing and processing procedures to ensure accuracy, quality and reliability; and chemical engineers who undertake research on commercial scale chemical processes and processed products, design and provide specifications and direct the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of chemical plants and control systems. (ONS SOC 2020, 2125)
Also covers: chemical engineer, industrial engineer, pharmaceutical engineer, process engineer, production consultant, production engineer, explosive engineer, industrial consultant, instrumentation engineer, petrochemical engineer, production adviser, production superintendent, project coordinator, automation engineer (professional), chemical engineering consultant, continuous improvement engineer, engineer (professional, chemical) and engineer (professional, manufacturing) (34 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Studies existing and alternative production methods, regarding work flow, plant layout, types of machinery and cost
- Recommends optimum equipment and layout and prepares drawings and specifications
- Devises and implements production control methods to monitor operational efficiency
- Investigates and eliminates potential hazards and bottlenecks in production
- Advises management on and ensures effective implementation of new production methods, techniques and equipment
- Liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies
Production and process engineers usually possess an accredited university degree. After qualifying, periods of appropriate training and experience are required before membership of a chartered engineering institution. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 4. All routes are followed by periods of appropriate training and relevant experience.
Related
Engineering professionals (median £51,082) · Electronics engineers (professional) · Aerospace engineers · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026