Metal making and treating process operatives Pay Data UK — 2025
Metal making and treating process operatives roles in the UK earn a median of £35,046 per year, equivalent to £16.27 per hour as of 2025. This represents a 10.1% increase in annual pay compared to the previous year. Pay varies across the UK, ranging from £27,631 to £50,779 per year.
Median Annual Pay
£35,046
as of 2025
Median Hourly Pay
£16.27
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+10.1%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£35,019
–
£35,617
25th – 75th percentile
How Pay Varies Across the UK
Each bar shows how many areas of the UK have a median annual pay in that range for Metal making and treating process operatives roles.
The dashed line marks the national median.
Based on sub-regional area data. Want a precise figure for your area?
Want a detailed breakdown by city and experience level?
Get your full Metal making and treating process operatives salary report — broken down by local area, seniority, and role type.
Instant download, based on official UK pay data.
About Metal making and treating process operatives
Metal making and treating process operatives operate furnaces, ovens and other heating vessels, drawing, rolling, extruding, galvanising, forging and other metal processing equipment to smelt, shape, coat and treat metal and metal products.
Typical Tasks and Duties
charges furnace, operates controls to regulate furnace temperature, and adds oxidising, alloying and fluxing agents as required
withdraws samples of molten metal for analysis, taps slag from surface of molten metal and directs flow of molten metal into casts
sets rolling speed, tension and space between rolls, guides the metal to and from rollers, and monitors the rolling process to detect irregularities, and ensure that the gauge and finish match required specifications
operates equipment to remove dirt, scale and other surface impurities by immersion in chemical solution
heats metal or metal articles in furnace, allows to cool for a specified time or quenches in brine, oil or water to harden, reduces brittleness and restores ductility
operates piercing, extruding, pressing and other metal processing equipment to shape and treat metal or metal articles
coats metal parts and articles electrolytically, forms metal articles by electro- and vacuum-deposition, dips and sprays articles with another metal, plastic powder or material and treats articles chemically to produce desired finishes
Entry Routes and Qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job. Vocational qualifications at level 2 and 3 in relevant areas, including metal and materials processing and finishing. are available.