Chemical and related process operatives vs Skilled trades occupations Salary (2025)

How do Chemical and related process operatives and Skilled trades occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Skilled trades occupations earns £804 more per year (2% higher)

Chemical and related process operatives

£34,115

per year

Skilled trades occupations

£34,919

per year

Detailed Comparison

Metric	Chemical and related process operatives	Skilled trades occupations	Difference
Median Annual	£34,115	£34,919	-£804
Mean Annual	£36,531	£36,896	-£365
Monthly	£2,843	£2,910	-£67
Weekly	£656	£672	-£16
Hourly	£16.40	£16.79	-£0.39

Salary Range Comparison

Percentile	Chemical and related process operatives	Skilled trades occupations
10th (Entry)	£24,979	£19,202
25th	£28,318	£27,269
50th (Median)	£34,115	£34,919
75th	£41,389	£44,593
90th (Senior)	£0	£56,036

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Chemical and related process operatives or a Skilled trades occupations?

A Skilled trades occupations earns more. The median salary for a Chemical and related process operatives is £34,115, whilst a Skilled trades occupations earns £34,919 — a difference of £804 per year.

What is the salary difference between a Chemical and related process operatives and a Skilled trades occupations?

The difference is £804 per year. Skilled trades occupations is the higher-paid role.

Should I become a Chemical and related process operatives or a Skilled trades occupations?

From a salary perspective, Skilled trades occupations offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.