2125 Production and process engineers

In short

• ONS unit group 2125, in minor group 212 (Engineering professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £45,000 (£23.08 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £36,500 (£18.72 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Production and process engineers advise on and direct technical aspects of production programmes to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This unit group incorporates: planning and quality control engineers who plan production schedules, work sequences, and manufacturing and processing procedures to ensure accuracy, quality and reliability; and chemical engineers who undertake research on commercial scale chemical processes and processed products, design and provide specifications and direct the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of chemical plants and control systems.

Typical entry routes

Production and process engineers usually possess an accredited university degree. After qualifying, periods of appropriate training and experience are required before membership of a chartered engineering institution. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 4. All routes are followed by periods of appropriate training and relevant experience.

Tasks

• studies existing and alternative production methods, regarding work flow, plant layout, types of machinery and cost
• recommends optimum equipment and layout and prepares drawings and specifications
• devises and implements production control methods to monitor operational efficiency
• investigates and eliminates potential hazards and bottlenecks in production
• advises management on and ensures effective implementation of new production methods, techniques and equipment
• liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies
• undertakes research and develops processes to achieve physical and/or chemical change for oil, pharmaceutical, synthetic, plastic, food and other products
• designs, controls and constructs process plants to manufacture products

Related job titles

• Chemical engineer
• Industrial engineer
• Pharmaceutical engineer
• Process engineer
• Production consultant
• Production engineer

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2125 Production and process engineers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Chemical engineers
• Control and instrumentation engineers
• Industrial and production engineers
• Production and process engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£45,000 (£23.08 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£40,500 (£20.77 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£36,000 (£18.46 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2125 Production and process engineers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2127, 5224

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Chemical engineers
• Control and instrumentation engineers
• Industrial and production engineers
• Production and process engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£36,500 (£18.72 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£32,900 (£16.87 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£29,200 (£14.97 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,600 (£13.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 212

• 2121 Civil engineers
• 2122 Mechanical engineers (professional)
• 2123 Electrical engineers
• 2124 Electronics engineers (professional)
• 2126 Aerospace engineers
• 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers
• 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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