Rope Access Technician (IRATA) Salary UK 2026
IRATA rope access technicians offshore earn £320 to £480 a day in 2026, about £4,900 to £7,300 a month or £58,000 to £85,000 a year. Level 1 sits at the bottom; Level 3 supervisors with an NDT or inspection trade behind them clear £90,000.
Rope Access Technician (IRATA) pay progression
| Stage | Pay | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| IRATA Level 1 | £320 to £360 a day | 1,000 logged hours needed before Level 2. |
| IRATA Level 2 | £380 to £430 a day | Rigging and rescue capability. |
| IRATA Level 3 supervisor | £450 to £520 a day | Runs the rope access team and rescue plan. |
Tickets you need
- IRATA Level 1 to 3
- OGUK medical
- BOSIET with CA-EBS
- MIST
- Trade behind ropes: NDT, painting, welding or inspection
What lifts your day rate
- A trade behind the ropes, NDT PCN or CSWIP adds £60 to £120 a day
- Level 3 supervision
- Offshore wind blade repair experience
Who hires rope access techs in the UK
How to get paid at the top of the band
Day rates are negotiated against what a recruiter can verify in the first fifteen seconds of reading your CV. For a rope access tech, that means three things:
- Put IRATA level, logbook hours and expiry in the header
- State the trade you perform on ropes, ropes alone are a mobility skill, not a trade
- List campaigns and asset types (fixed platform, FPSO, WTG)
Written by offshore specialists with 25+ years in the industry. 48-hour turnaround.
Rope Access Technician (IRATA) salary questions
How much do IRATA rope access technicians earn offshore in the UK?
£320 to £480 a day in 2026. Level 1 technicians start near £320; Level 3 supervisors with NDT or inspection tickets reach £520 a day.
Is rope access worth it offshore?
Yes, if you pair it with a trade. Ropes plus NDT, welding or painting is worth £60 to £120 more per day than ropes alone.
Compare other offshore salaries
See the full breakdown in our oil rig worker salary guide for 2026.