FMCG salary guide 2026.

This guide gives indicative base salary ranges for the main FMCG and CPG roles in all twelve of our specialisms, in pounds for the UK and dollars for the US, with the published source for every figure.

Use it to sense-check an offer, set a budget for a new hire or plan your next move. Every range is compiled from published salary data; we don't publish numbers we can't source.

Commercial · UK

Product · UK

Engineering · UK

Commercial · US

Product · US

Engineering · US

Bonus

Commercial roles carry the biggest bonuses. PIE Recruitment's 2025 FMCG report lists bonuses of around 10% of base for national account executives, 15–20% for national account managers and 25% or more for senior national account managers and heads of grocery.

Car or car allowance (UK)

Many UK field sales, account management and some senior roles include a company car or a cash car allowance. Two offers with the same base can be thousands of pounds apart once the car is included.

Shift premiums and overtime

Site-based maintenance and engineering roles often pay a premium for nights, weekends or rotating patterns such as 4-on-4-off or continental shifts, plus overtime. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that industrial machinery mechanics may work night or weekend shifts and that overtime is common.

Location and relocation

London and large US metro areas pay more for head-office roles. Plants are often in smaller towns, where base may be lower but relocation packages, sign-on bonuses and shift pay close the gap.

Scarce skills

PLC and SCADA experience, recyclable packaging know-how, discounter or Walmart account experience and RGM analytics all command a premium when supply is tight.

Company size and ownership

Multinationals tend to offer structured bands and strong benefits; private-equity-backed and challenger brands may offer equity or bigger bonuses in exchange for a lower base.

How much does a key account manager earn in FMCG?+

In the UK, PIE Recruitment's 2025 FMCG report puts national account managers at £48,000–£60,000 base, national account controllers at £65,000–£75,000 and senior national account managers at £80,000–£90,000, before bonus and car. In the US, Indeed reports an average key account manager base of $113,414 across all industries (typical range $69,462–$185,178).

What is the average FMCG salary in the UK?+

There is no single reliable average for FMCG as a whole, because pay varies so much by role. Published figures run from about £23,000 for a starter packaging technologist (National Careers Service) to more than £100,000 for heads of marketing, category and grocery (PIE Recruitment, 2025). Use the tables above for your role.

How much does a brand manager earn in CPG?+

In the US, Indeed reports an average brand manager base salary of $92,643 (typical range $58,844–$145,854). In the UK, PIE Recruitment's 2025 FMCG report puts brand managers at £45,000–£55,000 and senior brand managers at £60,000–£70,000.

What does a packaging technologist earn?+

In the UK, the National Careers Service gives £23,000 for a starter rising to £40,000 for an experienced packaging technologist. In the US the equivalent role is usually called a packaging engineer, with an average base salary of $104,350 on Indeed (typical range $59,047–$184,410).

Do FMCG jobs pay a bonus and car allowance?+

Often, yes. Commercial roles usually include a bonus, rising with seniority, and many UK field and account roles include a company car or car allowance. Engineering roles are more likely to include shift premiums and overtime. Always compare the full package, not just base salary.

How much does a controls engineer earn?+

In the US, Indeed reports an average controls engineer base of $94,048 (typical range $59,091–$149,687). In the UK, Indeed's average for controls engineers is £48,349 (typical range £34,757–£67,254). Food and beverage plants with high-speed lines and modern PLC platforms often pay towards the upper end.

Where do these salary figures come from?+

Every figure comes from a published source listed under its table: PIE Recruitment's 2025 FMCG & Consumer salary report, Indeed UK and US salary data, National Careers Service job profiles and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. We review the guide at least once a year and when major new data is published.