Painters and decorators Salary
Median salary £30,889 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £31,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For painters and decorators, £32,763 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -16% versus the national average. Experienced painters and decorators (top 25%) earn over £37,852.
About this role
Paper and wood machine operatives operate machinery in paper mills, sawmills, wood processing and timber product manufacturing. They set up, run and monitor machines that convert raw materials into paper, board, timber and wood products.
Key responsibilities
- Setting up and operating paper or wood processing machinery
- Monitoring production processes and output quality
- Loading raw materials and managing production flow
- Performing routine maintenance and reporting faults
- Following safety procedures and wearing PPE
Qualifications and entry routes
Typically enters through on-the-job training. NVQ Level 2 in relevant machine operations. Forklift certification may be required. Health and safety training is standard.
Career outlook
Sustainable packaging demand supports paper and board manufacturing. UK timber processing benefits from domestic woodland expansion targets.
Key skills
Common industries
- Paper mills
- Sawmills
- Timber product manufacturing
- Packaging manufacturers
- Furniture manufacturing
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£14,803
0-2 years
Mid Level
£23,850
3-7 years
Senior
£37,852
8-15 years
Potential career growth: ▲ +156% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£1,874
Painters and decorators salary: common questions
How much do painters and decorators earn in the UK?
Is £32,763 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for painters and decorators?
Have painters and decorators salaries kept up with inflation?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).