Construction plant operator | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Construction plant operators work with machinery and equipment used on building sites.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
Load, unload, or identify building

Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones.
Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards.
Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
Mix, pour, or spread concrete, using portable cement mixers.
Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
Erect or dismantle scaffolding, shoring, braces, traffic barricades, ramps, or other temporary structures.
Provide assistance to craft workers, such as carpenters, plasterers, or masons.
Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
Position or dismantle forms for pouring concrete, using saws, hammers, nails, or bolts.
Smooth or finish freshly poured cement or concrete, using floats, trowels, screeds, or powered cement finishing tools.
Operate jackhammers or drills to break up concrete or pavement.
Install sewer, water, or storm drain pipes, using pipe-laying machinery or laser guidance equipment.
Operate or maintain air monitoring or other sampling devices in confined or hazardous environments.
Mix ingredients to create compounds for covering or cleaning surfaces.
Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces, such as concrete, marble, terrazzo, or wood flooring, using abrasive tools or machines.
Position, join, align, or seal structural components, such as concrete wall sections or pipes.
Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray guns for application to ceilings or walls.
Spray materials, such as water, sand, steam, vinyl, paint, or stucco, through hoses to clean, coat, or seal surfaces.
Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking guns to protect against entry of water or air.
Mop, brush, or spread paints, cleaning solutions, or other compounds over surfaces to clean them or to provide protection.
Perform site activities required of green certified construction practices, such as implementing waste management procedures, identifying materials for reuse, or installing erosion or sedimentation control mechanisms.
Apply weather-stripping to reduce energy loss.

Read more about Construction plant operator

Construction plant operators typically work around 48 to 50 hours per week.

As a Construction plant operator you will typically work evenings / weekends.

This occupation tends to be:

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely

Read more about Construction plant operator

* from ONETonline

Average salary
29,277 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average salary for Construction plant operator

29,348 GBP
24,991 GBP

Average salary for part-time Construction plant operator

Average salary for full-time Construction plant operator

Showing:

18,200 GBP
18,284 GBP

29,277 GBP
24,991 GBP
29,348 GBP

Salary over time for Construction plant operator

Salary for this role has increased over time

26,057 GBP
26,209 GBP
26,316 GBP
27,296 GBP
27,964 GBP
28,594 GBP
29,277 GBP
28,689 GBP
30,284 GBP

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Future outlook for Construction plant operators

Balanced outlook

221 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

2% yearly wage growth (on average)

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Construction plant operator and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

70% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
23% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
6% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma

You could do a college course in a subject like:

Level 2 Certificate in Construction Plant Operations
Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment

These courses would teach you some of the skills needed for this work. You could then try to find a trainee job with a building company.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Construction plant operator

Construction

What soft skills do I need?

Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Construction plant operator.

Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions

Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly

Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents

Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do

Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

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Take our career change quiz

Construction plant operator | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Road Construction Materials and Construction Technologies Training

Road Construction Materials and Construction Technologies Training

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Future outlook for Construction plant operators

Construction plant operator - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

What soft skills do I need?

Things to highlight for your Construction plant operator interview

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