Food, drink and tobacco process operatives Salary
Median salary £27,267 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For food, drink and tobacco process operatives, £28,243 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -28% versus the national average. Experienced food, drink and tobacco process operatives (top 25%) earn over £33,002.
About this role
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives operate machinery and production lines in food manufacturing, breweries, distilleries and tobacco processing. They monitor production, ensure food safety standards and maintain output quality in regulated environments.
Key responsibilities
- Operating food and drink processing machinery
- Monitoring production processes and checking quality
- Following food safety and hygiene procedures (HACCP)
- Recording production data and completing batch records
- Cleaning and maintaining production equipment
Qualifications and entry routes
Food Safety Level 2 certificate is mandatory. No formal qualifications typically required for entry. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations is available.
Career outlook
Steady demand in food manufacturing. Automation is creating need for operatives who can manage increasingly computerised production systems.
Key skills
Common industries
- Food manufacturing
- Bakeries
- Breweries and distilleries
- Dairy processing
- Ready meals production
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£15,598
0-2 years
Mid Level
£22,837
3-7 years
Senior
£33,002
8-15 years
Leadership
£39,705
15+ years
Potential career growth: ▲ +155% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 16.7%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£976
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary: common questions
How much do food, drink and tobacco process operatives earn in the UK?
Is £28,243 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for food, drink and tobacco process operatives?
How much do the highest-paid food, drink and tobacco process operatives earn?
Have food, drink and tobacco process operatives salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for food, drink and tobacco process operatives?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).