UK Skilled Worker salary requirements & going rates
To be sponsored on a UK Skilled Worker visa you must normally be paid at least the higher of the general salary threshold and the going rate for your specific occupation. Look up the official going rate for any eligible occupation below.
General salary threshold
£41,700
Standard minimum for most new Skilled Worker applicants (per year).
Going rate
Per occupation
An occupation-specific minimum. You must be paid the higher of the two.
Median going rates (Table 1)
91 occupations paid against a median-ASHE going rate.
Health & education — national pay scales (Table 3)
38 health and education occupations are paid on a national pay scale (NHS Agenda for Change, doctors' and teachers' pay scales) instead of a going rate — see each occupation for the scale and sources.
Transitional occupations (pre-22 July 2025 only) — 170
Table 1a occupations. Sponsors may only use these if the applicant was granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 22 July 2025 and has had continuous permission since then. These occupations do not have their own detail page — figures are checker data only.
| SOC | Occupation | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| 1150 | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1211 | Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1221 | Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1222 | Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1223 | Publicans and managers of licensed premises | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1224 | Leisure and sports managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1225 | Travel agency managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1231 | Health care practice managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1232 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1233 | Early education and childcare services proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1242 | Managers in storage and warehousing | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1243 | Managers in logistics | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1251 | Property, housing and estate managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1252 | Garage managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1253 | Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1256 | Betting shop and gambling establishment managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1257 | Hire services managers and proprietors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1258 | Directors in consultancy services | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 1259 | Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 2324 | Early education and childcare services managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3115 | Quality assurance technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3116 | Planning, process and production technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3119 | Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3120 | CAD, drawing and architectural technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3131 | IT operations technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3132 | IT user support technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3133 | Database administrators and web content technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3211 | Dispensing opticians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3221 | Youth and community workers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3222 | Child and early years officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3223 | Housing officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3224 | Counsellors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3229 | Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3232 | Early education and childcare practitioners | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3240 | Veterinary nurses | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3312 | Police officers (sergeant and below) | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3313 | Fire service officers (watch manager and below) | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3314 | Prison service officers (below principal officer) | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3319 | Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3411 | Artists | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3412 | Authors, writers and translators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3413 | Actors, entertainers and presenters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3417 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3421 | Interior designers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3422 | Clothing, fashion and accessories designers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3429 | Design occupations not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3433 | Fitness and wellbeing instructors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3520 | Legal associate professionals | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3532 | Insurance underwriters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3541 | Estimators, valuers and assessors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3542 | Importers and exporters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3543 | Project support officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3544 | Data analysts | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3549 | Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3551 | Buyers and procurement officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3552 | Business sales executives | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3553 | Merchandisers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3554 | Advertising and marketing associate professionals | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3555 | Estate agents and auctioneers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3557 | Events managers and organisers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3560 | Public services associate professionals | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3571 | Human resources and industrial relations officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3572 | Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3573 | Information technology trainers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3574 | Other vocational and industrial trainers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3581 | Inspectors of standards and regulations | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 3582 | Health and safety managers and officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4111 | National government administrative occupations | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4112 | Local government administrative occupations | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4113 | Officers of non-governmental organisations | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4121 | Credit controllers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4122 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4124 | Finance officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4129 | Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4134 | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4141 | Office managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4143 | Customer service managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4151 | Sales administrators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4159 | Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4214 | Company secretaries and administrators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 4215 | Personal assistants and other secretaries | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5111 | Farmers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5112 | Horticultural trades | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5113 | Gardeners and landscape gardeners | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5114 | Groundsmen and greenkeepers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5119 | Agricultural and fishing trades not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5211 | Sheet metal workers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5212 | Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5213 | Welding trades | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5221 | Metal machining setters and setter-operators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5222 | Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5224 | Precision instrument makers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5234 | Aircraft maintenance and related trades | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5236 | Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5242 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5243 | TV, video and audio servicers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5244 | Computer system and equipment installers and servicers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5245 | Security system installers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5246 | Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5249 | Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5250 | Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5311 | Steel erectors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5317 | Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5321 | Plasterers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5411 | Upholsterers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5412 | Footwear and leather working trades | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5413 | Tailors and dressmakers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5419 | Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5421 | Pre-press technicians | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5422 | Printers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5423 | Print finishing and binding workers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5431 | Butchers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5432 | Bakers and flour confectioners | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5433 | Fishmongers and poultry dressers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5434 | Chefs | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5436 | Catering and bar managers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5441 | Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5442 | Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5443 | Florists | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 5449 | Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6111 | Early education and childcare assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6114 | Childminders | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6117 | Playworkers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6134 | Houseparents and residential wardens | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – Jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – Jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6213 | Air travel assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6214 | Rail travel assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 6311 | Police community support officers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 7124 | Market and street traders and assistants | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 7131 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 7132 | Sales supervisors - retail and wholesale | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 7214 | Market research interviewers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 7220 | Customer service supervisors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8113 | Chemical and related process operatives | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8134 | Water and sewerage plant operatives | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8143 | Routine inspectors and testers | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8215 | Driving instructors | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 8232 | Marine and waterways transport operatives | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified - ONLY the listed job titles are eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code and ONLY where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years’ full-time experience in using their skills. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | pre-22-jul-2025 |
| 9249 | Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified | pre-22-jul-2025 |