jobfacts

Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.

SOC 2020 3119

Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of technical support functions not elsewhere classified in minor group 311: Science, engineering and production technicians.

Also calledTechnicianScience technicianTechnology technicianDesign and technology technicianTechnical liaison officerAviation technical consultantand 31 more titles
Typical full-time pay£36,1002025 Provisional
People in the job38,000across the UK
New adverts a month2,300↓ 5.2%on last year · 78th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. earn between £29,400 and £46,800 a year.

What full-time science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. earn, 2025
£36,100 typical£24,300lowest 10%£29,40025%£46,80075%£56,500top 10%
Middle half (£29,400–£46,800)
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£24,300
Lowest 20% earn less than£27,700
25%£29,400
Median£36,100
75%£46,800
Top 20% earn more than£48,900
Top 10% earn more than£56,500
Typical pay by regionUK median £36,100
Yorkshire and The Humber!£39,700
London!£38,600
Scotland£38,500
East of England£38,300
South East£36,200
North West£35,500
East Midlands£35,100
West Midlands!£34,400
South West£32,600
Wales!£32,000
North East!£31,400
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £36,100
Yorkshire and The Humber£39,700 (small sample)
London£38,600 (small sample)
Scotland£38,500
East of England£38,300
South East£36,200
North West£35,500
East Midlands£35,100
West Midlands£34,400 (small sample)
South West£32,600
Wales£32,000 (small sample)
North East£31,400 (small sample)
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £32,300
  • 2024 £34,600
  • 2025 Provisional£36,100
↑ 12% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 2,300 jobs for science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. are advertised each month.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (4 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20262,284
Jul 20262,613
Jun 2026Not published
May 20262,250
Apr 20262,241
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,792
Jan 20262,276
Dec 20251,897
Nov 20252,329
Oct 20252,480
Sept 20252,728
Aug 20252,281
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 20253,273
Apr 20252,293
Mar 20252,636
Feb 20252,536
Jan 20252,251
Dec 20241,517
Nov 20242,101
Oct 20242,437
Sept 20242,710
Aug 20242,330
Jul 20242,823
Jun 20242,992
May 20243,101
Apr 20242,763
Mar 20242,600
Feb 20242,579
Jan 20242,964
Dec 20232,474
Nov 20232,650
Oct 20232,494
Sept 20232,561
Aug 20232,520
Jul 20233,038
Jun 20234,274
May 20234,432
Apr 20233,007
Mar 20234,234
Feb 20234,089
Jan 20235,330
Dec 20223,249
Nov 20223,960
Oct 20224,174
Sept 20223,802
Aug 20223,284
Jul 20223,923
Jun 20223,982
May 20224,165
Apr 20223,189
Mar 20223,961
Feb 20223,379
Jan 20223,881
Dec 20213,115
Nov 20213,303
Oct 20213,339
Sept 20213,287
Aug 20212,734
Jul 20213,430
Jun 20213,313
May 20213,646
Apr 20213,022
Mar 20213,126
Feb 20211,889
Jan 20212,063
Dec 20201,915
Nov 20201,842
Oct 20202,235
Sept 20202,243
Aug 20201,561
Jul 20201,714
Jun 20201,903
May 20201,743
Apr 20201,968
Mar 20202,814
Feb 20203,348
Jan 20203,033
Dec 20192,191
Nov 20192,843
Oct 20193,112
Sept 20193,034
Aug 20192,642
Jul 20193,835
Jun 20194,354
May 20194,018
Apr 20192,310
Mar 20193,149
Feb 20192,689
Jan 20193,167
Dec 20182,183
Nov 20182,794
Oct 20182,862
Sept 20183,162
Aug 20182,367
Jul 20182,837
Jun 20183,224
May 20183,142
Apr 20182,501
Mar 20182,844
Feb 20182,598
Jan 20183,109
Dec 20172,187
Nov 20172,684
Oct 20172,500
Sept 20172,788
Aug 20172,179
Jul 20172,443
Jun 20173,205
May 20172,976
Apr 20172,684
Mar 20173,300
Feb 20172,835
Jan 20173,159
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
30%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for science, engineering and production technicians, which includes science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London1,057
Manchester135
Birmingham131
Bristol, City of91
Leeds91
West Northamptonshire77
Buckinghamshire67
North Yorkshire67
Southampton66
City of Edinburgh64
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.
n/p
38%!
18%!
19%!
20%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–24Not published
25–3438% (small sample)
35–4418% (small sample)
45–5419% (small sample)
55–6420% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent46%
Higher education below degree!15%
A levels or equivalent31%
GCSEs or equivalent!12%
Other qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent46%
Higher education below degree15% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent31%
GCSEs or equivalent12% (small sample)
Other qualificationsNot published

Main employers: general secondary education (36%), primary education (4.3%), technical and vocational secondary education (3.6%), defence activities (2.8%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
46%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
13
from level 2
Apprenticeships take
1 to 3½ years
typically
T Levels
3
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds

Apprenticeships

13 for this job
Level 3About 3½ years

Engineering and manufacturing support technician

You gain
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies (QAN…
Leads to
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 3 years

Science manufacturing technician 2023

Leads to
The Science Council
Employers may ask for
Employers will set their own entry requirements. Typically, they require applicants to have GCSE science grade C or 4 . An employer may require applicants to…
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 3½ years

Engineering manufacturing technician

You gain
L4 HNC in Engineering or Manufacturing disciplines that fully align with the KSBs of the…; Aerospace mandatory qualification: Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering…
Leads to
Engineering Council for Engineering Technician (EngTech)
Details on Skills England
Level 2About 14 months

Healthcare science assistant

You gain
Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science (603/0626/9)
Leads to
Academy for Healthcare Science
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 3 years

Battery manufacturing technician

Leads to
Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Employers may ask for
Employers may require candidates to have a health screening before working in a clean room.
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 2 years

Education technician (he assistant technician and simulation-based technician)

Leads to
Institute of Science and Technology (HE Option)
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 3 years

Metrology technician

Leads to
This standard meets the requirements of Registered Engineering Technician (EngTech) and Registered Science Te…
Employers may ask for
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprentices. Typically, employers might expect individuals to have achieved grade 4 (C) or…
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 2 years

Healthcare science associate

You gain
Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (603/2313/9); Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science (Anatomical Pathology Technology) (603/3970/6)
Leads to
Academy for Healthcare Science
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 2½ years

Ordnance munitions explosives technician

Leads to
This apprenticeship is designed to prepare successful apprentices to meet the requirements for registration a…
Employers may ask for
Typically an apprentice might be expected to have a minimum of an A level at C grade and above in either Maths, Physics or Chemistry and 3 GCSEs at C (4)…
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
Healthcare scienceT Level3
Engineering, manufacturing, processing and control​T Level3
ScienceT Level3
CertHE Engineering (Manufacturing)Higher technical4
CertHE Engineering ManufacturingHigher technical4
CertHE General EngineeringHigher technical4
Certificate in Higher Education Engineering (Engineering Manufacturing Technician)Higher technical4
Diploma: Healthcare Science Associate (Level 4)Higher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Electrical Systems Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Electronic Systems Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Mechatronics for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Operations Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Automotive Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Motorsport Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
CertHE Healthcare Science Associate (Level 4)Higher technical5
FdSc Engineering (Electrical Electronics)Higher technical5
FdSc Engineering (Marine Technologies)Higher technical5
FdSc Engineering (Manufacturing)Higher technical5
Foundation Degree in Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing)Higher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing EngineeringHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Operations Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Automotive Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Motorsport Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • sets up apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes
  • undertakes tests and takes measurements and readings
  • performs calculations and records and interprets data
  • otherwise assists technologists as directed
  • sets up school laboratories for demonstrations and experiments, operates and maintains equipment and supports the teaching of students

Skills

  • record test data
  • create solutions to problems
  • perform test run
  • adjust engineering designs
  • analyse test data
  • read engineering drawings
  • read standard blueprints
  • collaborate with engineers
  • communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languages
  • inspect quality of products
  • practice innovative thinking in the footwear and leather goods industries
  • reduce environmental impact of footwear manufacturing
  • resolve equipment malfunctions
  • troubleshoot

Knowledge

  • CAD software
  • engineering principles
  • engineering processes
  • mechanics
  • CAE software
  • footwear creation process
  • quality assurance procedures
  • quality standards

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, engineering and technology associate professionals, a group of 11 jobs that includes science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c..
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 4.9%about 34,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 2035228,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.