Plant and Machine Operatives vs Welding trades Salary (2025)

How do Plant and Machine Operatives and Welding trades salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Welding trades earns £1,639 more per year (5% higher)

Plant and Machine Operatives

£33,943
per year
vs

Welding trades

£35,582
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricPlant and Machine OperativesWelding tradesDifference
Median Annual£33,943£35,582-£1,639
Mean Annual£36,343£37,877-£1,534
Monthly£2,829£2,965-£136
Weekly£653£684-£31
Hourly£16.32£17.11-£0.79

Salary Range Comparison

PercentilePlant and Machine OperativesWelding trades
10th (Entry)£24,081£24,483
25th£27,885£29,325
50th (Median)£33,943£35,582
75th£40,998£45,339
90th (Senior)£0£0
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Plant and Machine Operatives or a Welding trades?
A Welding trades earns more. The median salary for a Plant and Machine Operatives is £33,943, whilst a Welding trades earns £35,582 — a difference of £1,639 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Plant and Machine Operatives and a Welding trades?
The difference is £1,639 per year. Welding trades is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Plant and Machine Operatives or a Welding trades?
From a salary perspective, Welding 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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