Average Food, drink and tobacco process operatives Salary in Birmingham
ONS ASHE 2025 · West Midlands region · Updated October 2025
How Birmingham compares
Worth noting that food, drink and tobacco process operativess in the West Midlands earned £28,052 at the median in 2025. Across the UK as a whole, the figure was £27,267 — a difference of 2.9%. The cost of living in the West Midlands is 8.5% below the UK average, so a salary of £28,052 has an effective purchasing power closer to £30,658. To put this alongside local pay more broadly: the average across all jobs in Birmingham is £33,374, so food, drink and tobacco process operativess sit 15.9% less that benchmark.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (West Midlands index: 91.5, UK=100), a salary of £28,052 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £30,658 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the West Midlands is 8.5% below the UK average.
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary across UK regions
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary in areas near Birmingham
Salary data is by ONS region. Birmingham is in the West Midlands region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary in Birmingham?
The median food, drink and tobacco process operatives salary in the West Midlands (which includes Birmingham) is £28,052 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does food, drink and tobacco process operatives pay in Birmingham compare to the UK average?
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives in the West Midlands earn 2.9% above the national median of £27,267. This makes the West Midlands one of the higher-paying regions for this role.
Is food, drink and tobacco process operatives a well-paid job in Birmingham compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Birmingham is £33,374. Food, drink and tobacco process operatives in the West Midlands earn £28,052, which is 15.9% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for food, drink and tobacco process operativess cover the West Midlands region. The all-jobs average is specific to Birmingham. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.