Assemblers and routine operatives

How to become an Assembler

Official title: Assemblers (electrical and electronic products)

Also called: Assembler, Gun assembler, Pcb assembler, Belt assembler, Coil assembler, Core assembler, Cable assembler, Motor assembler, Radar assembler, Radio assembler, Relay assembler, Stove assembler

Assemblers (electrical and electronic products) wire prepared parts and/or sub-assemblies in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment, make coils and wiring harnesses and assemble previously prepared parts in the batch or mass production of electrical and electronic goods and components

Main tasks

Examines drawings, specifications and wiring diagrams to identify appropriate materials and sequence of operations
Selects, cuts and connects wire to appropriate terminals by crimping or soldering
Positions and secures switches, transformers, tags, valve holders or other parts and connects capacitors, resistors, transistors or sub-assemblies to appropriate terminals by soldering
Lays out and secures wire to make harnesses and operates machine to wind heavy and light coils of wire or copper for transformers, armatures, rotors, stators and light electrical equipment
Assembles previously prepared electrical or electronic components by winding, bolting, screwing or otherwise fastening using an assembly machine or hand tools

How to become one

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job, supplemented by short courses. NVQs/SVQs in Electronic Product Assembly are available at level 1.

Pay · Outlook

Median full-time pay: £28,620 a year The middle half earn £25,997 to £34,441.
About 31,000 people work in this job now, and about 30,500 are projected by 2035. (-1.6%)

Questions people ask

How do I become an Assembler?

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is typically provided on-the-job, supplemented by short courses. NVQs/SVQs in Electronic Product Assembly are available at level 1.

How much does an Assembler earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £28,620 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £25,997 to £34,441.

Is an Assembler a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 31,000 people now and 30,500 later (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become an Assembler?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03