Plant operator pay in Edinburgh May 2026

Machine operators have the job of using machines and specialist equipment.

Machines are used in all sorts of industries. You can find machine operators:

• In factories
• On construction sites

This type of job might involve:

• Using and operating machines to make, assemble and move things
• Checking all the machines on-site are safe to use

What machines you’ll use depends on what type of company you work for.

If you work in construction, you might use:

• Excavators, bulldozers, fork-lift trucks, cranes and dump trucks

If you work in a factory, you might use:

• Drills, industrial ovens, mixers and specialised equipment

If you want to apply for a machine operator job, you might need the following:

• Some GCSEs, a Level 2 certificate or Level 3 Diploma, or a relevant apprenticeship
• The right to work in the UK

If you work in construction, you’ll also need a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card.

You can also train on-the-job to be a machine operator if you are a groundworker.