A 25.9‐kb plasmid, pXU5, encoding high level cadmium resistance was isolated from Staphylococcus aureusstrain ATCC25923. A labelled cadAprobe from plasmid pI258 hybridised to a 2.3‐kb EcoRI fragment of pXU5. pXU5 was incompatible with an S. aureusincompatibility group 1 plasmid.