Food, drink and tobacco process operatives vs Sales and retail assistants Salary (2025)

How do Food, drink and tobacco process operatives and Sales and retail assistants salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Food, drink and tobacco process operatives earns £13,833 more per year (93% higher)
vs

Sales and retail assistants

£14,814
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricFood, drink and tobacco process operativesSales and retail assistantsDifference
Median Annual£28,647£14,814+£13,833
Mean Annual£29,602£16,604+£12,998
Monthly£2,387£1,235+£1,152
Weekly£551£285+£266
Hourly£13.77£7.12+£6.65

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileFood, drink and tobacco process operativesSales and retail assistants
10th (Entry)£18,174£5,714
25th£24,514£10,076
50th (Median)£28,647£14,814
75th£34,736£22,646
90th (Senior)£42,506£28,480
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Food, drink and tobacco process operatives or a Sales and retail assistants?
A Food, drink and tobacco process operatives earns more. The median salary for a Food, drink and tobacco process operatives is £28,647, whilst a Sales and retail assistants earns £14,814 — a difference of £13,833 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Food, drink and tobacco process operatives and a Sales and retail assistants?
The difference is £13,833 per year. Food, drink and tobacco process operatives is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Food, drink and tobacco process operatives or a Sales and retail assistants?
From a salary perspective, Food, drink and tobacco process operatives offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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