Process, plant and machine operatives vs Sales and retail assistants Salary (2025)

How do Process, plant and machine operatives and Sales and retail assistants salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Process, plant and machine operatives earns £18,357 more per year (124% higher)
vs

Sales and retail assistants

£14,814
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricProcess, plant and machine operativesSales and retail assistantsDifference
Median Annual£33,171£14,814+£18,357
Mean Annual£34,903£16,604+£18,299
Monthly£2,764£1,235+£1,529
Weekly£638£285+£353
Hourly£15.95£7.12+£8.83

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileProcess, plant and machine operativesSales and retail assistants
10th (Entry)£17,094£5,714
25th£26,372£10,076
50th (Median)£33,171£14,814
75th£42,276£22,646
90th (Senior)£52,540£28,480
Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Process, plant and machine operatives or a Sales and retail assistants?
A Process, plant and machine operatives earns more. The median salary for a Process, plant and machine operatives is £33,171, whilst a Sales and retail assistants earns £14,814 — a difference of £18,357 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Process, plant and machine operatives and a Sales and retail assistants?
The difference is £18,357 per year. Process, plant and machine operatives is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Process, plant and machine operatives or a Sales and retail assistants?
From a salary perspective, Process, plant and machine operatives offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

More Comparisons