Smiths and forge workers

£28,157

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

27 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

1.82%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Smiths and forge workers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5211

Smiths and forge workers operate or direct the operation of power hammers and presses to shape heated metal to requirements and to make and repair a variety of metal articles by heating, hammering and bending.

Common tasks include:

reads and interprets order or blueprint to determine operational requirements;
heats or supervises the heating in furnace of metal to be forged;
positions or directs the positioning of heated metal on anvil or other work surface;
operates or directs operation of press or hammer and repositions workpiece between strokes;
uses special forging tools to shape and cut metal as required;
bends or shapes metal by hand forging methods using hammers, punches, drifts and other hand tools;
tempers and hardens forged pieces, as required, by quenching in oil or water;
fits and secures horses shoes.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Training is usually via apprenticeships administered by professional associations and lasting up to four years. Apprenticeships incorporate technical training and practical experience and lead to recognised awards and membership of professional bodies.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Smiths and forge workers

Regional employment: Smiths and forge workers

Future employment: Smiths and forge workers

Top 12 industries: Smiths and forge workers

Alternative & related job titles: Smiths and forge workers

Maker, knife Shaper (clog iron mfr) Smith, coach Fitter, gate Maker, spring, railway Smith, pan (salt mfr) Stamper, metal, hot Smith Hammerman Machinist, spring, coach Drawer, pick Worker, iron, ornamental Presser, forge Maker, wedge Setter, axle Smith, tool Stamper (rolling mill) Presser, hydraulic (forging) Presser, fly (forging) Plater, tool, edge Smith, pan, salt Setter (metal cutlery mfr) Maker, spring (railway locomotive mfr) Stamper, hammer Stamper, drop (forging) Smith, coil (spring mfr) Stamper (metal tube fittings mfr) Presser, steel Maker, tool, chasing Maker, bolt Repairer, chain Blacksmith Stamper (galvanised sheet mfr) Straightener, axle Tyreman (railways) Smither Plater, shovel Maker, cable, chain Sharpener, gear (mining) Maker, spade Stamper, metal (forging) Drawer (forging) Repairer, spring Blacksmith-engineer Plater, hoe Presser (rolling mill) Worker, iron, wrought Hooper, wheel Fitter, spring (forging) Maker, spring, laminated Smith, engineering Presser (forging) Splitter, fork (digging fork mfr) Bender, spring (spring mfr) Fitter, gate and railings Maker, chain (forging) Stamper, tool, edge Plater (edge tool mfr) Bender, iron Maker, tool, edge Necker, flyer Maker, file Maker, spring, leaf Stamper, hot Maker, shoe, horse Maker, tool, hand Maker, scythe Repairer, propeller Stamper, drop, hot Farrier Forger Maker, shovel Pewtersmith Presser, hot (metal trades) Maker, pick Maker, coupling Stamper (forging) Necker, fly Plater (metal cutlery mfr) Maker, bolster Shoer, horse Legger, flyer Maker, spring (carriage, wagon mfr) Stamper, brass, hot

Equality focus: Smiths and forge workers

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.