Plant and Machine Operatives vs Skilled construction and building trades Salary

How do Plant and Machine Operatives and Skilled construction and building trades salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown using the latest ONS data.

Skilled construction and building trades earns £2,077 more per year (6% higher)

Plant and Machine Operatives

£33,943
per year (gross)
Take-home: £27,959
vs

Skilled construction and building trades

£36,020
per year (gross)
Take-home: £29,454

Detailed Comparison

MetricPlant and Machine OperativesSkilled construction and building tradesDifference
Median Annual£33,943£36,020-£2,077
Mean Annual£36,343£38,384-£2,041
Take-Home (Net)£27,959£29,454-£1,495
Monthly (Gross)£2,829£3,002-£173
Weekly (Gross)£653£693-£40
Hourly£16.32£17.32-£1.00

Salary Range Comparison

PercentilePlant and Machine OperativesSkilled construction and building trades
10th (Entry)£24,081£23,043
25th£27,885£29,111
50th (Median)£33,943£36,020
75th£40,998£44,770
90th (Senior)£0£55,697

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Plant and Machine Operatives or a Skilled construction and building trades?
A Skilled construction and building trades earns more. The median salary for a Plant and Machine Operatives is £33,943, whilst a Skilled construction and building trades earns £36,020 — a difference of £2,077 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Plant and Machine Operatives and a Skilled construction and building trades?
The difference is £2,077 per year. Skilled construction and building trades is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Plant and Machine Operatives takes home approximately £27,959 per year, whilst a Skilled construction and building trades takes home £29,454. The net difference is £1,495.
Should I become a Plant and Machine Operatives or a Skilled construction and building trades?
From a salary perspective, Skilled construction and building trades 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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