Matching the role you are recruiting for with the relevant occupation code, or SOC code, is a crucial step when hiring a new sponsored worker under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale Up routes. It will be important for the sponsor to allocate the correct occupation code to avoid issues with the Home Office and potential refusal of the visa application.
Caseworkers do investigate the roles, so it is advisable to ensure you have matched and selected the correct SOC code to avoid issues or delays with the application.
In this article, we explain how to use the occupation classification system correctly when hiring skilled workers, and highlight the common pitfalls to avoid.
Section A: What are SOC Codes?
To sponsor individuals under the Skilled Worker visa, Global Business Mobility routes or Scale Up visa, employers must ensure the role they are offering meets the visa condition, namely, that the role is at the required skilled level and pays the relevant minimum salary.
To help the Home Office determine if a role meets the visa requirements, jobs that are eligible under these sponsored routes are listed by occupation code within Appendix Skilled Occupations.
The occupation codes are used to identify the relevant going rate and salary threshold for each job, both at ‘new entrant’ and ‘experienced’ rates, and provides details such as example job titles associated with that specific occupation code.
With the relevant SOC code selected, the employer can then assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the applicant.
Following a change in the rules, since 4 April 2024, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes are now taken from the Standard Occupational Classification 2020 coding index, replacing the 2010 codes. Importantly, SOC codes and eligible job roles under the previous 2010 system may be different to those under the 2020 system. As such, when making a new application, sponsors are advised to check the SOC 2020 occupation codes for their sponsored roles to ensure continued eligibility and that the correct and up to date code is used.
1. SOC Codes & Appendix Skilled Occupations
The Home Office divides Appendix Skilled Occupations into two skill bands. Codes that appear in Tables 1, 2 and 3 identify graduate‑level jobs assessed as Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above. The codes listed in Tables 1A, 2A and 3A cover sub‑degree roles at RQF levels 3 to 5. From 22 July 2025, these lower‑skill occupations can be sponsored only if the code is on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, or if the individual already held Skilled Worker or Tier 2 leave in that specific code before 22 July 2025 and remains in continuing employment with valid sponsorship.
In practical terms, the Skilled Worker route, including the Health and Care Worker sub‑route, draws its eligible occupation codes from Tables 1, 2 and 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations. Where transitional protections apply, the sponsor should use the relevant continuing-employment tables: Tables 1A, 2A or 3A.
All five Global Business Mobility sub‑routes (Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Secondment Worker and Service Supplier) use the codes set out in Tables 2, 2b and 3. Table 2b contains transitional sub‑degree roles that remain eligible only for GBM workers who held leave in those roles before 4 April 2024. No new hires are allowed under Table 2b.
The Scale up Worker route relies on exactly the same graduate‑level tables as the Skilled Worker route, namely Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the Appendix.
Only occupations featured in the Appendix at the time of the application can qualify for these sponsored work routes. The list of eligible occupations is updated periodically, and sponsors and visa applicants are advised to check the most recent version when preparing for the sponsorship and visa application.
2. SOC Codes & Going Rates
Every SOC 2020 code carries a published going rate benchmark, and sponsors must compare that benchmark with the applicable cash threshold.
From 22 July 2025, the general salary threshold for most Skilled Worker graduate‑level jobs is £41,700 a year (and £17.13 an hour), whereas roles classed as “Health and Care ASHE salary” jobs are subject to a lower standard threshold of £31,300 with no hourly‑rate floor. The worker’s guaranteed gross PAYE salary must reach whichever is higher of: the applicable cash threshold for the selected salary option, and the required percentage of the occupation’s going rate (100%, 90%, 80%, or 70%, depending on the points option being claimed).
Reduced thresholds are only available where the applicant qualifies under a valid tradeable-points option, such as a PhD, new entrant or Immigration Salary List concession, applies and the percentage reduction (100 %, 90 %, 80 % or 70 %) of the relevant going rate is still met.
The official going rate tables provide both a standard column (used for graduate-level roles and Options A–E) and a lower-rate column (used for Health and Care ASHE or continuing-employment roles under Options F–J). Sponsors must select the correct column for the route being used and confirm that the salary stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship satisfies the applicable annual figure and, where required, the hourly floor.
Section B: SOC Codes with Salary 2025
Before making a sponsored worker application, you will need to verify that the role being recruited for, under its corresponding SOC code, is classed as being “eligible” under the relevant visa route, both in terms of skill level and salary threshold.
1. Skilled Worker SOC codes 2025
Skilled worker eligible occupations, as specified by SOC codes with salary thresholds, can be found on the .gov website or in the table below which is effective from 22 July 2025.
| Occupation code | Job type | Related job titles | Standard going rate from 22 July 2025 | Lower going rate from 22 July 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1111 | Chief executives and senior officials | Chairpersons Chief executives Diplomats and foreign office officials Senior public service officials Chief executives and senior officials not elsewhere classified | £88,100 (£45.18 per hour) | £60,000 (£30.77 per hour) |
| 1121 | Production managers and directors in manufacturing | Production managers and directors in manufacturing | £55,000 (£28.21 per hour) | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) |
| 1122 | Production managers and directors in construction | Production managers and directors in construction | £53,400 (£27.38 per hour) | £41,400 (£21.23 per hour) |
| 1123 | Production managers and directors in mining and energy | Managers and directors in the extraction of fossil fuels Managers and directors in the production of energy Production managers and directors in mining and energy not elsewhere classified | £54,000 (£27.69 per hour) | £47,100 (£24.15 per hour) |
| 1131 | Financial managers and directors | Bank, building society and post office managers Company secretaries and finance managers and directors Investment bankers and directors Financial managers and directors not elsewhere classified | £75,100 (£38.51 per hour) | £49,700 (£25.49 per hour) |
| 1132 | Marketing, sales and advertising directors | Advertising and marketing directors Sales directors Marketing, sales and advertising directors not elsewhere classified | £87,300 (£44.77 per hour) | £60,000 (£30.77 per hour) |
| 1133 | Public relations and communications directors | Public relations and communications directors | £77,200 (£39.59 per hour) | £59,700 (£30.62 per hour) |
| 1134 | Purchasing managers and directors | Estimating managers and directors Procurement and purchasing managers and directors Purchasing managers and directors not elsewhere classified | £54,700 (£28.05 per hour) | £42,500 (£21.79 per hour) |
| 1135 | Charitable organisation managers and directors | Charitable organisation managers and directors | £44,300 (£22.72 per hour) | £35,900 (£18.41 per hour) |
| 1136 | Human resource managers and directors | Employee relations managers Equality, diversity and inclusion managers Learning and development managers and directors Recruitment managers and directors Human resources managers and directors not elsewhere classified | £52,900 (£27.13 per hour) | £41,200 (£21.13 per hour) |
| 1137 | Information technology directors | Information security directors Information technology operations directors Information technology programme managers and directors Information technology technical directors Information technology directors not elsewhere classified | £86,000 (£44.10 per hour) | £61,200 (£31.38 per hour) |
| 1139 | Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified | Accounts directors Administration directors Complaints and customer service directors Events directors Intellectual property managers and directors Municipal clerks Research and development (R&D) directors Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified | £74,700 (£38.31 per hour) | £52,300 (£26.82 per hour) |
| 1140 | Directors in logistics, warehousing and transport | Supply chain directors Directors in logistics, warehousing and transport not elsewhere classified | £81,400 (£41.74 per hour) | £53,600 (£27.49 per hour) |
| 1150 | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale | Managers and directors in retail and wholesale | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £29,400 (£15.08 per hour) |
| 1162 | Senior police officers | Chief, deputy chief and assistant chief constables Chief inspectors Chief superintendents Senior police officers not elsewhere classified | £64,000 (£32.82 per hour) | £60,800 (£31.18 per hour) |
| 1163 | Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services | Senior officers in ambulance services Senior officers in fire services Senior officers in immigration services Senior officers in prison services Senior officers in revenue and customs | £61,600 (£31.59 per hour) | £50,000 (£25.64 per hour) |
| 1171 | Health services and public health managers and directors | Clinical governance and information managers Healthcare service managers and directors Health services and public health managers and directors not elsewhere classified | £50,300 (£25.79 per hour) | £41,600 (£21.33 per hour) |
| 1172 | Social services managers and directors | Social services managers and directors | £43,000 (£22.05 per hour) | £33,100 (£16.97 per hour) |
| 1211 | Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture | Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture | £35,900 (£18.41 per hour) | £29,100 (£14.92 per hour) |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services | Cattery and kennel managers and proprietors Fisheries managers and proprietors Forestry managers Livery yard and stud farm managers and proprietors Racehorse trainers Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 1221 | Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors | Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors | £38,300 (£19.64 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 1222 | Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors | Café and restaurant managers and proprietors Catering operations managers Takeaway managers and proprietors Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,100 (£13.38 per hour) |
| 1223 | Publicans and managers of licensed premises | Publicans and managers of licensed premises | £36,300 (£18.62 per hour) | £30,900 (£15.85 per hour) |
| 1224 | Leisure and sports managers and proprietors | Cinema managers and proprietors Golf course managers Gym, fitness and leisure services managers and proprietors Marina managers Museum managers and proprietors Parks and gardens managers Theatre managers (excludes hospital service) Leisure and sports managers and proprietors not elsewhere classified | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) | £26,600 (£13.64 per hour) |
| 1225 | Travel agency managers and proprietors | Travel agency managers and proprietors | £36,000 (£18.46 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 1231 | Health care practice managers | Dental practice managers Medical practice managers Opticians managers Veterinary practice managers Health care practice managers not elsewhere classified | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) | £32,600 (£16.72 per hour) |
| 1232 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors | Day care managers Home care managers Residential care managers and proprietors Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors not elsewhere classified | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) | £32,000 (£16.41 per hour) |
| 1233 | Early education and childcare services proprietors | Early education and childcare services proprietors | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 1241 | Managers in transport and distribution | Airport managers Depot and fleet managers Dispatch and distribution managers Harbour and port managers Road traffic managers Managers in transport and distribution not elsewhere classified | £44,900 (£23.03 per hour) | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) |
| 1242 | Managers in storage and warehousing | Managers in storage and warehousing | £35,100 (£18.00 per hour) | £29,100 (£14.92 per hour) |
| 1243 | Managers in logistics | Managers in logistics | £44,900 (£23.03 per hour) | £37,300 (£19.13 per hour) |
| 1251 | Property, housing and estate managers | Facilities managers Landlords, property and housing managers Property investors and developers Sales and lettings managers Shopping centre managers Property, housing and estate managers not elsewhere classified | £42,600 (£21.85 per hour) | £32,500 (£16.67 per hour) |
| 1252 | Garage managers and proprietors | Garage managers and proprietors | £45,600 (£23.38 per hour) | £36,300 (£18.62 per hour) |
| 1253 | Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors | Beauty salon managers and proprietors Hairdressing managers and proprietors Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,000 (£13.85 per hour) |
| 1254 | Waste disposal and environmental services managers | Landfill site managers Recycling managers Scrap yard managers Sewage works and water treatment managers Waste disposal and environmental services managers not elsewhere classified | £48,300 (£24.77 per hour) | £39,700 (£20.36 per hour) |
| 1255 | Managers and directors in the creative industries | Art gallery managers and directors Film and television production managers Publishing managers and directors Radio production managers Sport and talent agents Theatre production managers Managers and directors in the creative industries not elsewhere classified | £44,900 (£23.03 per hour) | £37,000 (£18.97 per hour) |
| 1256 | Betting shop and gambling establishment managers | Betting shop managers Bingo hall managers Casino managers Betting shop and gambling establishment managers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 1257 | Hire services managers and proprietors | Hire services managers and proprietors | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,200 (£14.46 per hour) |
| 1258 | Directors in consultancy services | Design consultancy directors Environmental consultancy directors Management consultancy directors Surveying consultancy directors Directors in consultancy services not elsewhere classified | £70,100 (£35.95 per hour) | £44,600 (£22.87 per hour) |
| 1259 | Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified | Cleaning and hygiene services managers and proprietors Educational establishment managers and proprietors Funeral services and crematorium managers and proprietors Library managers Recruitment agency managers and proprietors Security services managers and proprietors Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified | £41,400 (£21.23 per hour) | £33,100 (£16.97 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists | Analytical chemists Industrial chemists Nuclear and radiochemists Research and development chemists Chemical scientists not elsewhere classified | £39,900 (£20.46 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists | Agricultural scientists Biologists Botanical and horticultural scientists Microbiologists and bacteriologists Pathologists Pharmacologists Zoological scientists Biological scientists not elsewhere classified | £40,300 (£20.67 per hour) | £30,700 (£15.74 per hour) |
| 2113 | Biochemists and biomedical scientists | Biochemists Biomedical scientists Biotechnologists Clinical scientists Biochemists and biomedical scientists not elsewhere classified | £45,900 (£23.54 per hour) | £35,100 (£18.00 per hour) |
| 2114 | Physical scientists | Geologists Geophysicists Hydrogeologists and hydrologists Meteorologists Physical scientists not elsewhere classified | £54,600 (£28.00 per hour) | £41,500 (£21.28 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists | Anthropologists Archaeologists Behavioural scientists Epidemiologists Genealogists Geographic information systems (GIS) analysts Historians Political scientists Public health analysts Social and humanities scientists not elsewhere classified | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) | £28,000 (£14.36 per hour) |
| 2119 | Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified | Sports scientists Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified | £41,500 (£21.28 per hour) | £33,700 (£17.28 per hour) |
| 2121 | Civil engineers | Building and building services engineers Geotechnical engineers Mining engineers Structural engineers Transportation engineers Water engineers (professional) Civil engineers not elsewhere classified | £50,400 (£25.85 per hour) | £39,200 (£20.10 per hour) |
| 2122 | Mechanical engineers | Automotive engineers (professional) Marine engineers and naval architects Mechanical design engineers Mechanical engineers not elsewhere classified | £46,800 (£24.00 per hour) | £38,400 (£19.69 per hour) |
| 2123 | Electrical engineers | Laser engineers Power systems engineers Railway signalling engineers Electrical engineers not elsewhere classified | £58,700 (£30.10 per hour) | £47,100 (£24.15 per hour) |
| 2124 | Electronics engineers | Broadcast engineers (professional) Telecommunications engineers (professional) Electronics engineers not elsewhere classified | £52,000 (£26.67 per hour) | £41,200 (£21.13 per hour) |
| 2125 | Production and process engineers | Chemical engineers Control and instrumentation engineers Industrial and production engineers Production and process engineers not elsewhere classified | £45,000 (£23.08 per hour) | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) |
| 2126 | Aerospace engineers | Aeronautical engineers (professional) Aircraft engineers (professional) Avionics engineers Aerospace engineers not elsewhere classified | £52,400 (£26.87 per hour) | £43,400 (£22.26 per hour) |
| 2127 | Engineering project managers and project engineers | Engineering project managers and project engineers | £51,900 (£26.62 per hour) | £40,600 (£20.82 per hour) |
| 2129 | Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified | Acoustic engineers Biomedical engineers Brewers (qualified) Clinical Engineers Energy engineers Food technologists Gas engineers (professional) Heating and ventilating engineers (professional) Materials engineers Mechatronic engineers Nuclear engineers Patent engineers Robotics engineers Traffic engineers Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified | £46,100 (£23.64 per hour) | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) |
| 2131 | IT project managers | IT project managers | £58,200 (£29.85 per hour) | £42,600 (£21.85 per hour) |
| 2132 | IT managers | IT information managers IT product managers IT service delivery managers IT systems managers IT test managers Network managers Software development managers Technical support managers IT managers not elsewhere classified | £55,000 (£28.21 per hour) | £43,000 (£22.05 per hour) |
| 2133 | IT business analysts, architects and systems designers | Computer analysts and scientists Data architects Data engineers IT systems architects IT business analysts IT solutions architects and designers IT business analysts, architects and systems designers not elsewhere classified | £54,900 (£28.15 per hour) | £42,400 (£21.74 per hour) |
| 2134 | Programmers and software development professionals | Computer games designers Computer programmers Software developers Programmers and software development professionals not elsewhere classified | £54,700 (£28.05 per hour) | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) |
| 2135 | Cyber security professionals | Cyber operational defence specialists Cyber security management and governance specialists Forensic computer specialists Secure system development specialists Cyber security professionals not elsewhere classified | £48,500 (£24.87 per hour) | £35,300 (£18.10 per hour) |
| 2136 | IT quality and testing professionals | IT quality and testing professionals | £41,200 (£21.13 per hour) | £34,500 (£17.69 per hour) |
| 2137 | IT network professionals | IT network professionals | £45,600 (£23.38 per hour) | £38,100 (£19.54 per hour) |
| 2139 | Information technology professionals not elsewhere classified | DevOps engineers IT consultants Webmasters and website managers Information technology professionals not elsewhere classified | £52,300 (£26.82 per hour) | £38,700 (£19.85 per hour) |
| 2141 | Web design professionals | Application designers UI and UX designers and researchers Web designers Web design professionals not elsewhere classified | £43,800 (£22.46 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers | Multimedia animators Graphic and multimedia designers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
| 2151 | Conservation professionals | Conservationists Ecologists Heritage officers Conservation professionals not elsewhere classified | £36,000 (£18.46 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 2152 | Environment professionals | Energy managers Environmental and geo-environmental engineers Environmental consultants Environmental scientists Sustainability officers Environmental professionals not elsewhere classified | £37,200 (£19.08 per hour) | £31,400 (£16.10 per hour) |
| 2161 | Research and development (r&d) managers | Laboratory managers Research and development (R&D) design managers Research and development (R&D) managers not elsewhere classified | £54,400 (£27.90 per hour) | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) |
| 2162 | Other researchers, unspecified discipline | Other researchers, unspecified discipline | £43,600 (£22.36 per hour) | £37,400 (£19.18 per hour) |
| 2240 | Veterinarians | Veterinarians | £49,500 (£25.38 per hour) | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) |
| 2311 | Higher education teaching professionals | Higher education teaching professionals | £52,600 (£26.97 per hour) | £40,600 (£20.82 per hour) |
| 2317 | Teachers of English as a foreign language | Teachers of English as a Foreign Language | £36,200 (£18.56 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 2319 | Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified | Adult education tutors Dance and drama school principals and owners Private music and singing teachers Private tutors Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 2322 | Education managers | Education managers | £43,900 (£22.51 per hour) | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) |
| 2323 | Education advisers and school inspectors | Educational advisers School inspectors | £42,200 (£21.64 per hour) | £35,700 (£18.31 per hour) |
| 2324 | Early education and childcare services managers | Early education and childcare services managers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2329 | Other educational professionals not elsewhere classified | Bursars Educational administrators Examiners and markers Other educational professionals not elsewhere classified | £40,600 (£20.82 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 2411 | Barristers and judges | Barristers and advocates Judges Barristers and judges not elsewhere classified | £59,400 (£30.46 per hour) | £37,000 (£18.97 per hour) |
| 2412 | Solicitors and lawyers | Commercial solicitors and lawyers Criminal solicitors and lawyers Family solicitors and lawyers Property solicitors and lawyers Solicitors and lawyers not elsewhere classified | £51,600 (£26.46 per hour) | £39,000 (£20.00 per hour) |
| 2419 | Legal professionals not elsewhere classified | Conveyancers Litigation executives Paralegals Patent and trademark attorneys Legal professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
| 2421 | Chartered and certified accountants | Auditors (qualified accountant) Financial accountants (qualified) Forensic accountants Fund accountants Insolvency practitioners Chartered and certified accountants not elsewhere classified | £49,200 (£25.23 per hour) | £36,900 (£18.92 per hour) |
| 2422 | Finance and investment analysts and advisers | Credit analysts Financial advisers and planners Financial analysts Mortgage advisers Finance and investment analysts and advisers not elsewhere classified | £45,800 (£23.49 per hour) | £34,200 (£17.54 per hour) |
| 2423 | Taxation experts | Taxation experts | £48,500 (£24.87 per hour) | £35,400 (£18.15 per hour) |
| 2431 | Management consultants and business analysts | Business analysts and consultants Management advisers and consultants Risk analysts Management consultants and business analysts not elsewhere classified | £50,200 (£25.74 per hour) | £36,000 (£18.46 per hour) |
| 2432 | Marketing and commercial managers | Commercial managers Marketing managers Marketing and commercial managers not elsewhere classified | £50,100 (£25.69 per hour) | £39,900 (£20.46 per hour) |
| 2433 | Actuaries, economists and statisticians | Actuaries and actuarial analysts Economists Mathematicians Statistical data scientists Statisticians Actuaries, economists and statisticians not elsewhere classified | £55,100 (£28.26 per hour) | £40,700 (£20.87 per hour) |
| 2434 | Business and related research professionals | Intelligence analysts Researchers in media and entertainment Business and related research professionals not elsewhere classified | £38,800 (£19.90 per hour) | £31,500 (£16.15 per hour) |
| 2435 | Professional/chartered company secretaries | Professional/chartered company secretaries | £58,200 (£29.85 per hour) | £38,600 (£19.79 per hour) |
| 2439 | Business, research and administrative professionals not elsewhere classified | Policy officers Business, research and administrative professionals not elsewhere classified | £56,600 (£29.03 per hour) | £43,200 (£22.15 per hour) |
| 2440 | Business and financial project management professionals | Business change managers Clinical trials coordinators Risk managers Business and financial project management professionals not elsewhere classified | £56,500 (£28.97 per hour) | £43,300 (£22.21 per hour) |
| 2451 | Architects | Architects Landscape architects and designers | £47,600 (£24.41 per hour) | £37,800 (£19.38 per hour) |
| 2452 | Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants | Chartered architectural technologists Town planning officers Urban designers Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants not elsewhere classified | £35,800 (£18.36 per hour) | £28,200 (£14.46 per hour) |
| 2453 | Quantity surveyors | Quantity surveyors | £48,600 (£24.92 per hour) | £38,500 (£19.74 per hour) |
| 2454 | Chartered surveyors | Building control surveyors Hydrographic surveyors Land surveyors Property surveyors Chartered surveyors not elsewhere classified | £43,800 (£22.46 per hour) | £36,000 (£18.46 per hour) |
| 2455 | Construction project managers and related professionals | Construction project and contract managers Transport planners Construction project managers and related professionals not elsewhere classified | £44,300 (£22.72 per hour) | £36,600 (£18.77 per hour) |
| 2462 | Probation officers | Probation officers | £35,700 (£18.31 per hour) | £29,400 (£15.08 per hour) |
| 2464 | Youth work professionals | Youth work professionals | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) | £34,500 (£17.69 per hour) |
| 2469 | Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified | Adoption officers Children and family services professionals Mediators and restorative practice professionals Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified | £39,700 (£20.36 per hour) | £33,500 (£17.18 per hour) |
| 2471 | Librarians | Librarians | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 2472 | Archivists, conservators and curators | Archivists Collection managers and curators Conservators Museum education officers Archivists and curators not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2481 | Quality control and planning engineers | Garment technologists Planning engineers Quality control engineers Quality control and planning engineers not elsewhere classified | £41,300 (£21.18 per hour) | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) |
| 2482 | Quality assurance and regulatory professionals | Compliance and regulatory professionals Quality assurance professionals | £48,200 (£24.72 per hour) | £38,100 (£19.54 per hour) |
| 2483 | Environmental health professionals | Environmental health professionals | £40,900 (£20.97 per hour) | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) |
| 2491 | Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors | Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors | £39,600 (£20.31 per hour) | £32,200 (£16.51 per hour) |
| 2492 | Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters | Broadcast journalists Newspaper journalists and reporters Newspaper and periodical journalists and reporters not elsewhere classified | £34,000 (£17.44 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 2493 | Public relations professionals | Press officers Public relations officers Social media managers Public relations professionals not elsewhere classified | £37,000 (£18.97 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 2494 | Advertising accounts managers and creative directors | Advertising account managers Creative directors Fundraising managers | £46,000 (£23.59 per hour) | £37,200 (£19.08 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians | Biological laboratory technicians Chemical laboratory technicians Health physics monitors Laboratory food technicians Medical laboratory technicians Laboratory technicians not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians | Avionics technicians Electrical and electronics technicians not elsewhere classified | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £30,800 (£15.79 per hour) |
| 3113 | Engineering technicians | Aerospace technicians Wind turbine technicians Engineering technicians not elsewhere classified | £42,500 (£21.79 per hour) | £34,700 (£17.79 per hour) |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians | Building technicians Civil engineering technicians Surveying technicians Building and civil engineering technicians not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,900 (£14.31 per hour) |
| 3115 | Quality assurance technicians | Quality assurance technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,500 (£13.59 per hour) |
| 3116 | Planning, process and production technicians | Planning, process and production technicians | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) | £28,700 (£14.72 per hour) |
| 3119 | Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified | School technicians Textile consultants Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) | £28,000 (£14.36 per hour) |
| 3120 | CAD, drawing and architectural technicians | Architectural technicians BIM and CAD technicians Cartographers CAD, drawing and architectural technicians not elsewhere classified | £33,800 (£17.33 per hour) | £28,700 (£14.72 per hour) |
| 3131 | IT operations technicians | Games testers Network and systems administrators Quality assurance testers Software technicians IT operations technicians not elsewhere classified | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £27,700 (£14.21 per hour) |
| 3132 | IT user support technicians | IT user support technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,700 (£14.21 per hour) |
| 3133 | Database administrators and web content technicians | Database administrators Web content technicians Database administrators and web content technicians not elsewhere classified | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) | £29,200 (£14.97 per hour) |
| 3211 | Dispensing opticians | Dispensing opticians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians | Pharmaceutical technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3214 | Complementary health associate professionals | Alexander technique teachers AromatherapistsHomeopaths (excludes medically qualified)Hospital play specialistsHypnotherapistsMassage therapistsReflexologistsReiki healersComplementary health associate professionals not elsewhere classified | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3221 | Youth and community workers | Community workers Family support workers Youth workers (excludes youth work professionals) Youth and community workers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,500 (£13.59 per hour) |
| 3222 | Child and early years officers | Child protection officers Learning and behaviour mentors Welfare and attendance officers Child and early years officers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 3223 | Housing officers | Housing officers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,800 (£14.26 per hour) |
| 3224 | Counsellors | Bereavement counsellors Debt advisers Life coaches Relationship counsellors Substance misuse workers Counsellors not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
| 3229 | Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified | Advocates (excludes solicitor advocates) Celebrants Charity workers Day care officers Health advisers Homelessness and housing advice support workers Mental health project workers Probation service workers Student support workers Victim support workers Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 3232 | Early education and childcare practitioners | Early education and childcare practitioners | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3240 | Veterinary nurses | Veterinary nurses | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3312 | Police officers (sergeant and below) | Police constable Police sergeant Police officers (sergeant and below) not elsewhere classified | £46,900 (£24.05 per hour) | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) |
| 3313 | Fire service officers (watch manager and below) | Firefighters Fire service crew managers Watch managers Fire service officers (watch manager and below) not elsewhere classified | £42,100 (£21.59 per hour) | £37,600 (£19.28 per hour) |
| 3314 | Prison service officers (below principal officer) | Operational support grades Prison officers Prison service officers (below principal officer) not elsewhere classified | £38,800 (£19.90 per hour) | £31,600 (£16.21 per hour) |
| 3319 | Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified | Coastguard Customs and border control officers Fraud investigators (excludes benefit fraud) Immigration officers Private investigators Security consultants and managers (excludes cyber security) Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £41,100 (£21.08 per hour) | £33,200 (£17.03 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists | Art technicians (excludes education) Drawing and painting artists Hand drawn animators Illustrators (excludes medical and scientific) Medical and scientific illustrators Picture restorers Sculptors Tattoo and henna artists Artists not elsewhere classified | £38,200 (£19.59 per hour) | £26,600 (£13.64 per hour) |
| 3412 | Authors, writers and translators | Authors Bloggers Copywriters Literary editors Poets Script writers Technical writers (excludes computing) Translators and interpreters Authors, writers and translators not elsewhere classified | £36,100 (£18.51 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3413 | Actors, entertainers and presenters | Actors Broadcasters, podcasters and presenters Children’s entertainers Comedians Disc jockeys Magicians Models Singers Social media influencers Actors, entertainers and presenters not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers | Choreographers Dance teachers (excludes educational establishments) Dancers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians | Composers and musical arrangers Music conductors Instrumentalists Musicians not elsewhere classified | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers and directors | Art consultants Broadcasting and entertainment directors Broadcasting and entertainment editors Broadcasting and entertainment producers Studio and stage managers Arts officers, producers and directors not elsewhere classified | £38,100 (£19.54 per hour) | £28,800 (£14.77 per hour) |
| 3417 | Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators | Camera operators and videographers Lighting designers Photographers Sound designers Sound engineers Theatre technicians (excludes hospitals) Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 3421 | Interior designers | Interior designers | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 3422 | Clothing, fashion and accessories designers | Clothing and fashion consultants Clothing and fashion designers Footwear designers Jewellery designers Textile designers Clothing, fashion and accessories designers not elsewhere classified | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) | £29,100 (£14.92 per hour) |
| 3429 | Design occupations not elsewhere classified | Industrial and product designers Packaging designers Performance make-up artists Set designers Visual merchandising managers and designers Design occupations not elsewhere classified | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3433 | Fitness and wellbeing instructors | Group fitness instructors and personal trainers Pilates teachers Yoga teachers Fitness and wellbeing instructors not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3511 | Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers | Airline pilots Air traffic controllers Flying instructors Helicopter pilots Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers not elsewhere classified | £80,400 (£41.23 per hour) | £64,100 (£32.87 per hour) |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers | Ship and hovercraft captains and deck officers (excludes armed forces and fishing) Marine engineers Ship and hovercraft officers not elsewhere classified | £58,300 (£29.90 per hour) | £39,100 (£20.05 per hour) |
| 3520 | Legal associate professionals | Conveyancing professionals Cost lawyers Barrister’s and judge’s clerks Litigation officers Probate managers Will writers Legal associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 3531 | Brokers | Commodity brokers and traders Insurance and mortgage brokers Shipbrokers Stockbrokers Brokers not elsewhere classified | £52,400 (£26.87 per hour) | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) |
| 3532 | Insurance underwriters | Insurance underwriters | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians | Accounting technicians Financial control technicians Financial and accounting technicians not elsewhere classified | £48,700 (£24.97 per hour) | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) |
| 3534 | Financial accounts managers | Claims managers Credit managers Investment managers Relationship managers Financial accounts managers not elsewhere classified | £44,700 (£22.92 per hour) | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) |
| 3541 | Estimators, valuers and assessors | Energy advisers and assessors Estimators Loss adjusters Valuers Vehicle damage assessors Estimators, valuers and assessors not elsewhere classified | £35,300 (£18.10 per hour) | £28,600 (£14.67 per hour) |
| 3542 | Importers and exporters | Importers and exporters | £35,700 (£18.31 per hour) | £29,800 (£15.28 per hour) |
| 3543 | Project support officers | Project support officers | £33,900 (£17.38 per hour) | £28,900 (£14.82 per hour) |
| 3544 | Data analysts | Data analysts | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £28,600 (£14.67 per hour) |
| 3549 | Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified | Business support officers Business systems analysts Contract administrators Clinical coders Clinical trials administrators Research coordinators Business associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 3551 | Buyers and procurement officers | Buyers and procurement officers | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) | £29,300 (£15.03 per hour) |
| 3552 | Business sales executives | Business sales executives | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £29,300 (£15.03 per hour) |
| 3553 | Merchandisers | Merchandisers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 3554 | Advertising and marketing associate professionals | Advertising and marketing executives Fundraisers Market researchers (excludes interviewers) Marketing associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 3555 | Estate agents and auctioneers | Estate agents Land and property auctioneers and valuers Letting agents Estate agents and auctioneers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3556 | Sales accounts and business development managers | Brand managers Business development managers Sales account managers Sales accounts and business development managers not elsewhere classified | £55,200 (£28.31 per hour) | £40,500 (£20.77 per hour) |
| 3557 | Events managers and organisers | Conference managers and organisers Exhibition managers and organisers Festival managers and organisers Hospitality managers Wedding planners and organisers Event managers and organisers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 3560 | Public services associate professionals | Electoral services officers Health service administrators Job Centre officers Waste management officers Public services associate professionals not elsewhere classified | £39,500 (£20.26 per hour) | £34,000 (£17.44 per hour) |
| 3571 | Human resources and industrial relations officers | Equality and diversity officers Human resources advisers Recruitment consultants Human resources and industrial relations officers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 3572 | Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists | Careers advisers and coaches Work placement officers Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,700 (£13.69 per hour) |
| 3573 | Information technology trainers | Information technology trainers | £40,000 (£20.51 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 3574 | Other vocational and industrial trainers | Business coaches Retail and store trainers Training assessors Other vocational and industrial trainers not elsewhere classified | £34,500 (£17.69 per hour) | £28,200 (£14.46 per hour) |
| 3581 | Inspectors of standards and regulations | Animal health inspectors and officers Building control officers Driving examiners Health and safety inspectors Housing and planning inspectors Licensing officers Meat hygiene inspectors Nuclear safety inspectors Trading standards officers Traffic and vehicle examiners and inspectors Inspectors of standards and regulations not elsewhere classified | £34,400 (£17.64 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 3582 | Health and safety managers and officers | Asbestos safety officers Fire safety managers and officers Occupational health and safety managers and officers Road traffic and transport safety officers Occupational hygienists Health and safety managers and officers not elsewhere classified | £42,500 (£21.79 per hour) | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) |
| 4111 | National government administrative occupations | National government benefits officers National government revenue officers Passport officers National government administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,900 (£13.28 per hour) |
| 4112 | Local government administrative occupations | Local government benefits officers Local government housing assistants Local government revenue officers Parish clerks Local government administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,000 (£13.33 per hour) |
| 4113 | Officers of non-governmental organisations | Charity administrators Clerks to governors Union officials Officers of non-governmental organisations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4121 | Credit controllers | Credit controllers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 4122 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks | Accounting clerks and bookkeepers Payroll officers and wages clerks Bookkeepers, payroll managers and wage clerks not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 4124 | Finance officers | Finance officers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
| 4129 | Financial administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | Box office assistants Grants officers Mortgage administrators Revenue assistants (excludes National and Local government revenue occupations) Treasury assistants Finance administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4132 | Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants | Claims handlers Insurance administrators Pensions administrators Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4134 | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants | Transport and distribution clerks and assistants | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,900 (£13.28 per hour) |
| 4141 | Office managers | Office managers | £37,400 (£19.18 per hour) | £30,000 (£15.38 per hour) |
| 4143 | Customer service managers | Call centre managers Customer service managers not elsewhere classified | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £27,600 (£14.15 per hour) |
| 4151 | Sales administrators | Sales administrators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4159 | Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | Business administrators Church administrators Facilities coordinators Proofreaders Property administrators Warranty administrators Other administrative occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 4214 | Company secretaries and administrators | Company secretaries and administrators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,100 (£13.90 per hour) |
| 4215 | Personal assistants and other secretaries | Farm secretaries Personal assistants (excludes care workers) Personal assistants and other secretaries not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,400 (£14.05 per hour) |
| 5111 | Farmers | Agricultural contractors Aquaculture farmers Arable farmers Dairy farmers Livestock farmers Poultry farmers Farmers not elsewhere classified | £34,100 (£17.49 per hour) | £28,200 (£14.46 per hour) |
| 5112 | Horticultural trades | Horticultural trades | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5113 | Gardeners and landscape gardeners | Garden designers Gardeners (excludes horticultural/market gardening) Green roof installers Landscape gardeners Gardeners and landscape gardeners not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5114 | Groundsmen and greenkeepers | Groundsmen and greenkeepers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agricultural and fishing trades not elsewhere classified | Arborists Beekeepers Countryside and park officers and rangers Falconers Fish and river keepers Fishers Gamekeepers Agricultural and fishing trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5211 | Sheet metal workers | Metal fabricators and finishers Panel beaters (excludes vehicles) Whitesmiths Sheet metal workers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,800 (£13.74 per hour) |
| 5212 | Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations | Die casters Farriers Moulders, mould makers and core makers Smiths Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations not elsewhere classified | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £29,200 (£14.97 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades | Braziers and solderers Pipe welders Plate welders Welding trades not elsewhere classified | £34,900 (£17.90 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | Pipe fitters | £46,000 (£23.59 per hour) | £40,400 (£20.72 per hour) |
| 5221 | Metal machining setters and setter-operators | Computer numerical control (CNC) machine setters and setter-operators Metal machining setters and setter-operators not elsewhere classified | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 5222 | Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out | Tool fitters Tool makers Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out not elsewhere classified | £38,400 (£19.69 per hour) | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | Automation maintenance technicians Bicycle mechanics Catering equipment technicians Door fitters and makers Gunsmiths Heavy plant maintenance technicians Hydraulic technicians Lift technicians Locksmiths Pump technicians Textile machine technicians Turbine fitters Metal working production and maintenance fitters not elsewhere classified | £39,300 (£20.15 per hour) | £29,900 (£15.33 per hour) |
| 5224 | Precision instrument makers and repairers | Calibration and precision instrument technicians Camera and photographic equipment technicians Horologists, watch makers and repairers Optical technicians Precision instrument makers and repairers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,300 (£14.51 per hour) |
| 5225 | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers | £41,100 (£21.08 per hour) | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) |
| 5231 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | Auto electricians Car/light vehicle technicians Heavy and large vehicle technicians Motorcycle technicians Motorsport technicians MOT testers Roadside assistance technicians Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians not elsewhere classified | £35,500 (£18.21 per hour) | £27,900 (£14.31 per hour) |
| 5232 | Vehicle body builders and repairers | Vehicle body builders and repairers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,600 (£14.15 per hour) |
| 5233 | Vehicle paint technicians | Vehicle paint technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 5234 | Aircraft maintenance and related trades | Aircraft maintenance and related trades | £45,000 (£23.08 per hour) | £34,800 (£17.85 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers | Boat and ship builders and repairers | £33,700 (£17.28 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 5236 | Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers | Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers | £57,000 (£29.23 per hour) | £38,800 (£19.90 per hour) |
| 5241 | Electricians and electrical fitters | Electric vehicle charging point installers Electro-mechanical technicians Installation and maintenance electricians Smart energy experts Solar panel installers Street lighting electrician Electricians and electrical fitters not elsewhere classified | £38,800 (£19.90 per hour) | £31,500 (£16.15 per hour) |
| 5242 | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | Telecoms and related network installers and repairers | £36,700 (£18.82 per hour) | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) |
| 5243 | Tv, video and audio servicers and repairers | TV, video and audio servicers and repairers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,100 (£12.87 per hour) |
| 5244 | Computer system and equipment installers and servicers | Computer system and equipment installers and servicers | £35,100 (£18.00 per hour) | £26,700 (£13.69 per hour) |
| 5245 | Security system installers and repairers | Security system installers and repairers | £36,300 (£18.62 per hour) | £28,800 (£14.77 per hour) |
| 5246 | Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers | Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers | £39,700 (£20.36 per hour) | £33,800 (£17.33 per hour) |
| 5249 | Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified | Broadcast and communications technicians Overhead line workers Signal workers Electrical and electronic trades not elsewhere classified | £45,800 (£23.49 per hour) | £35,600 (£18.26 per hour) |
| 5250 | Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors | Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors | £42,400 (£21.74 per hour) | £36,500 (£18.72 per hour) |
| 5311 | Steel erectors | Steel erectors | £35,000 (£17.95 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades | Dry stone wallers Monumental masons Stonemasons Stonemasons and related trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £28,500 (£14.62 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers | Bricklayers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,600 (£13.13 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | Felt and flat roofers Sheeters and cladders Thatchers Tilers and slaters Roofers, roof tilers and slaters not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,300 (£12.97 per hour) |
| 5315 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers | Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers | £38,100 (£19.54 per hour) | £31,400 (£16.10 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners | Bedroom and kitchen fitters Carpenters Joiners Carpenters and joiners not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,800 (£14.26 per hour) |
| 5317 | Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters | Glass cutters and glaziers Window fabricators Window fitters Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified | Builders Divers Fence erectors Industrial climbers Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators Steel fixers and underpinners Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 5321 | Plasterers | Dry liners Plasterers (wall and decorative) | £34,200 (£17.54 per hour) | £29,500 (£15.13 per hour) |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers | Carpet and linoleum fitters Floor layers Tilers Floorers and wall tilers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators | Painters and decorators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,800 (£14.26 per hour) |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors | Carpenter and joinery supervisors Demolition supervisors Painting supervisors Plumbing supervisors Road construction supervisors Roofing supervisors Scaffolding supervisors Construction and building trade supervisors not elsewhere classified | £41,800 (£21.44 per hour) | £34,600 (£17.74 per hour) |
| 5411 | Upholsterers | Curtain makers Trimmers and upholsterers Upholsterers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5412 | Footwear and leather working trades | Footwear makers and repairers Leather workers (excludes leather dressing) Footwear and leather working trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5413 | Tailors and dressmakers | Costume makers Dressmakers Fitters and alterations assistants Kilt makers Milliners (excludes wholesale, retail trade) Tailors Tailors and dressmakers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5419 | Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified | Embroiderers and sewers Knitters Sail makers Weavers (excludes basket, wig and wire goods mfr) Textiles, garments and related trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5421 | Pre-press technicians | Pre-press technicians | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5422 | Printers | Digital printers Flexographic printers Lithographic printers Screen printers Printers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,200 (£13.44 per hour) |
| 5423 | Print finishing and binding workers | Print finishing and binding workers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5431 | Butchers | Butchers Slaughterers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5432 | Bakers and flour confectioners | Bakers (excludes food process bakery workers and textile manufacturing) Cake decorators and designers Bakers and flour confectioners not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5433 | Fishmongers and poultry dressers | Fishmongers Poultry dressers Fishmongers and poultry dressers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5434 | Chefs | Chefs | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5436 | Catering and bar managers | Catering and bar managers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5441 | Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers | Ceramic makers, decorators and finishers Ceramic potters Glass blowers Glass makers, decorators and finishers Optical glass makers Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,400 (£13.03 per hour) |
| 5442 | Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers | Cabinet makers (excludes metal) Furniture makers and fitters Furniture restorers Furniture sprayers and finishers Picture framers Shed makers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5443 | Florists | Florists | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 5449 | Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified | Basket makers (excludes wire goods mfr) Candle makers Goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers and precious stone workers Hairpiece and wig makers Metal engravers Craft model makers Musical instrument repairers, makers and tuners Sign makers and writers Toy makers and repairers Other skilled trades not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 6111 | Early education and childcare assistants | Early education and childcare assistants | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6114 | Childminders | Childminders | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6116 | Nannies and au pairs | Au pairs Nannies | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6117 | Playworkers | Playworkers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | Animal boarding assistants Animal breeders Animal groomers Animal trainers (excludes performing animals) Animal walkers Animal welfare workers Stable workers Veterinary assistants Zookeepers Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6134 | Houseparents and residential wardens | Foster carers Residential childcare practitioners School matrons and houseparents Residential housing wardens Houseparents and residential wardens not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers | Community support workers Home care workers Residential care workers Care workers and home carers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers | Senior community support workers Senior home care workers Senior residential care workers Senior care workers not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6213 | Air travel assistants | Flight attendants Passenger services assistants Air travel assistants not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6214 | Rail travel assistants | Railway station assistants Revenue protection officers Train conductors and guards Rail travel assistants not elsewhere classified | £41,300 (£21.18 per hour) | £35,400 (£18.15 per hour) |
| 6232 | Caretakers | Playworkers | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6250 | Bed and breakfast and guest house owners and proprietors | Animal boarding assistants Animal breeders Animal groomers Animal trainers (excludes performing animals) Animal walkers Animal welfare workers Stable workers Veterinary assistants Zookeepers Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 6311 | Police community support officers | Foster carers Residential childcare practitioners School matrons and houseparents Residential housing wardens Houseparents and residential wardens not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £31,600 (£16.21 per hour) |
| 7115 | Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers | Vehicle parts advisers Vehicle sales executives | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7124 | Market and street traders and assistants | Market and street traders and assistants | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7125 | Visual merchandisers and related occupations | Fashion stylists Visual merchandisers and window dressers Visual merchandisers and related occupations not elsewhere classified | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7129 | Sales related occupations not elsewhere classified | Demonstrators and product promoters Hire desk controllers Sales energy consultants Sales related occupations not elsewhere classified | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7131 | Shopkeepers and owners – retail and wholesale | Antique dealers Art dealers Car traders Newsagents Retail jewellers Wholesalers Wine merchants Shopkeepers and owners – retail and wholesale not elsewhere classified | £33,700 (£17.28 per hour) | £27,200 (£13.95 per hour) |
| 7132 | Sales supervisors – retail and wholesale | Sales supervisors – retail and wholesale | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7214 | Market research interviewers | Field and telephone interviewers Mystery shoppers Political canvassers Traffic enumerators | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 7220 | Customer service supervisors | Customer service supervisors | £34,200 (£17.54 per hour) | £28,900 (£14.82 per hour) |
| 8113 | Chemical and related process operatives | Chemical and related process operatives | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,700 (£13.69 per hour) |
| 8115 | Metal making and treating process operatives | Galvanisers and platers Metal sprayers and powder coaters Metal making and treating process operatives not elsewhere classified | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 8133 | Energy plant operatives | Boiler operatives Compressor operatives Nuclear decommissioning operatives Energy plant operatives not elsewhere classified | £41,500 (£21.28 per hour) | £30,100 (£15.44 per hour) |
| 8134 | Water and sewerage plant operatives | Water and sewerage distribution operatives Water treatment operatives Water and sewerage plant operatives not elsewhere classified | £38,000 (£19.49 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 8143 | Routine inspectors and testers | Routine inspectors and testers | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £26,600 (£13.64 per hour) |
| 8215 | Driving instructors | Cycling instructors Forklift instructors Heavy and large vehicle driving instructors Motorcycle instructors Passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) and car driving instructors Driving instructors not elsewhere classified | £39,500 (£20.26 per hour) | £33,300 (£17.08 per hour) |
| 8232 | Marine and waterways transport operatives | Marine and waterways transport operatives | £38,300 (£19.64 per hour) | £26,300 (£13.49 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified | Vent chick sexer Deckhand on large fishing vessel (9 metres and above) | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 9249 | Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified | Retail order pickers Trolley collectors Elementary sales occupations not elsewhere classified | £33,400 (£17.13 per hour) | £27,500 (£14.10 per hour) |
| 9252 | Warehouse operatives | Warehouse operatives | Not eligible for standard rate applications | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
The online table lists two columns for many codes. The standard going rate applies to ordinary Skilled Worker roles (Options A–E). A separate lower going rate applies to Health & Care Worker visa jobs; workers who were first sponsored before 4 April 2024 and have remained continuously sponsored; and a small group of transitional sub‑degree codes in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Salaries for those roles are assessed against the lower figure, but the cash threshold is still £31,300 (Option F) unless a valid discounted rate (Options G–J) or an Immigration Salary List waiver applies.
2. SOC Codes with Salary 2025 – Global Business Mobility Visas
The list of eligible SOC codes for Global Business Mobility visas can be found here. Note that separate, additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Global Business Mobility applicants apply for those granted permission under the rules in place before 4 April 2024).
3. SOC Codes with Salary 2025 – Scale Up Visa
The list of eligible SOC codes for the Scale Up visa can be found here.
Section C: Why SOC Codes Matter
The Home Office routinely places notable focus on scrutinising SOC codes, particularly if the application is seeking to rely on a reduced salary threshold, such as ISL roles. We advise sponsors to compile comprehensive evidence to support the SOC code selection and decision-making process, such as job descriptions, advertisements, contracts and salary statements, in the event further information is requested by the caseworker.
The Standard Occupational Classification code you select matters for two main reasons. First, it determines whether the role meets the required skill level. SOC 2020 codes that appear in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations are treated as graduate‑level jobs at RQF level 6 or above, while the codes listed in Tables 1A, 2A and 3A represent sub‑degree roles at RQF levels 3 to 5, and from 22 July 2025 these lower‑skill occupations can be sponsored only if the code is covered by a Temporary Shortage or Immigration Salary List waiver or if the worker already held permission in that code before that date.
Second, each SOC code is tied to a going rate benchmark that drives the salary test. For any application made on or after 22 July 2025, the sponsor must pay whichever figure is the higher of two amounts: the applicable salary threshold and the required percentage of the code’s published going rate, which may be 100%, 90%, 80% or 70% depending on the tradeable‑points option relied on. Currently, for the Skilled Worker visa, the standard salary threshold is £41,70 per year or 100% of the role’s going rate, unless a reduced threshold applies under a permitted discount, such as a PhD, new entrant or Immigration Salary List concession.
The official going rate table shows both a standard rate and, where relevant, a lower rate; sponsors must select the correct column for their route and ensure the salary stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship satisfies both the annual figure and, where an hourly floor is in force, the hourly‑pay requirement.
Section D: How to Select the Correct SOC Code
To search a job’s occupation code, the Home Office advises using the CASCOT occupation coding tool. When using CASCOT, always cross-check against Appendix Skilled Occupations as the job duties in CASCOT may not align with Home Office eligibility criteria.
From this list of occupations, employers are required to provide the SOC code which most closely matches the role they are recruiting for.
In practice, it is not always obvious for employers or HR personnel to know which SOC code to use, particularly if assigning a CoS for the first time, or employing for a new type of role or skillset.
Once the tool has identified possible occupation codes, sponsors should read the descriptions to identify the correct SOC code for the job they are offering.
This then needs to be cross-referenced against the list of eligible occupations under Appendix Skilled Occupations.
To match the SOC code, sponsors should focus on the duties and responsibilities of the role, and not the job title. When considering an application, the Home Office will apply the most appropriate match based on the job description in the application, and will not necessarily rely on the SOC code stated by the applicant or their sponsor.
If the job role does not match an eligible occupation, either because it is not at the correct skill or salary level, you will not be allowed to sponsor the individual for that role. Any visa application relying on an ineligible occupation code will be refused.
One of the biggest problems for employers is that the SOC code list is subject to change. Sponsors need to check the latest version each time they issue a CoS for a migrant worker. It may be, for example, that a code you had previously relied on has been taken off. Or, if salary levels have been changed and you issue a CoS at a salary that now falls below the minimum threshold, it will result in the applicant’s visa application being refused for not meeting the visa salary requirement.
Conversely, you could find that a code you have used previously, even for a long time, has been added to the Immigration Salary List, which will lower the cost of the application.
There are also many exceptions that apply, so it is advisable to take professional guidance where you are uncertain.
1. Using the Wrong SOC Code
The rules require sponsors to provide correct information and to only assign a CoS where you intend to employ the individual per the application details (or in any related sponsor note). Matching the wrong occupation code can lead to unwanted issues with the Home Office. Whether you are sponsoring from within the UK or from overseas, the implications are the same.
If issues with the SOC code come to light as part of the employee’s visa application, the Home Office can refuse the application for failure to meet the visa requirements. This may mean making a new visa application with a corrected code, in which case, you would have to outlay again for the Immigration Skills Charge, Health Surcharge and the visa application itself.
If a code for a role on the Immigration Salary List had initially been provided, and as such the lower application fee paid, and the Home Office subsequently determines the incorrect code was used and that the role is not on the ISL, the sponsor will have to pay the fee difference before the application can be processed.
If the wrong code is selected and it is found to have been a genuine error, it may be possible to rectify the mistake. However, the Home Office can investigate further and depending on their findings, may take enforcement action against the organisation by, for example, suspending the sponsor licence. If the Home Office determines a sponsor had provided false information, they may take action to revoke the organisation’s licence.
In any event, an incorrect code will inevitably result in delayed visa processing.
2. How the Home Office Investigates SOC Codes
The caseworker can check against the job title/description and codes to make sure that the correct code has been selected and the correct fee has been paid. They have powers to investigate the codes provided within the application by examining information such as:
- Role – whether the CoS been assigned for the same job or a job other than the one described in the CoS application?
- Salary – do records show the stated salary on the application matches what is being paid?
- Skill level – has the appropriate occupation code been used to meet the skill level?
Caseworkers have access to the Sponsor Management System and can check against the information given on the application form and the assigned CoS. They can also request to review documents such as the worker’s employment contract and job description, and can also interview the sponsored worker to verify the actual responsibilities of the job.
If they dispute whether the code chosen is the most relevant for the role, they can request an explanation as to why it was selected when another code might be more suitable.
Incorrect occupation codes can also be identified following a Home Office compliance inspection.
Section E: Need Assistance?
Role eligibility is a common area of further enquiry and visa refusal, so it pays to be robust and diligent when determining the SOC code, and documenting your decision-making process.
We recommend sponsors take a strategic approach to using SOC codes, in the context of their organisation’s broader recruitment aims.
Ideally, the SOC code should be identified at the outset of the recruitment process to ensure the role does in fact meet the relevant requirements for skill and salary level.
If a job title does not appear to match to a code, yet you are confident it should qualify, take a step back; the assigned job title may just be the starting point. Consider the tasks the role will entail on a regular basis and how it fits in the wider organsational map. Also think about how that role will develop. Then consider the details within the occupational codes and job titles. This may require further discussion and detail with technical managers in your organsation, to ensure you are covering all angles and are not overlooking any codes that could be an appropriate match.
As experienced advisers to businesses on all aspects of corporate immigration, global mobility and Home Office applications, we can assist with any questions you may have about SOC codes, CoS allocations or recruiting under a sponsored worker route.
We also deliver training to inhouse HR and management teams on how to use SOC codes effectively in support of recruitment strategies and ensure immigration compliance. Contact us for more information.
Section F: SOC code FAQs
What is an SOC code in the UK?
An SOC code (Standard Occupational Classification code) is a four-digit number used by the UK government to classify jobs based on skill level and job responsibilities. It is primarily used for immigration and workforce data purposes.
Where can I find the correct SOC code for a job?
The official UK government website provides a list of SOC codes alongside job descriptions, example roles, and salary requirements. Employers and visa applicants should check this list to ensure they are using the most up-to-date information.
What happens if the wrong SOC code is used?
Using an incorrect SOC code in a visa application can lead to delays, refusals or compliance issues for employers. It is essential to select the correct code that accurately reflects the job role and meets Home Office requirements.
Can SOC codes change over time?
The Home Office updates SOC codes periodically to reflect labour market trends and government policy changes. It is critical to use the current version when submitting the visa application.
Do all jobs in the UK have an SOC code?
Most recognised occupations have an assigned SOC code, but not every SOC code is eligible for visa sponsorship. Appendix Skilled Occupations selects only those SOC 2020 codes that meet the skill‑level and salary criteria for Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Global Business Mobility routes and Scale‑up Worker visa sponsorship.
How does an employer assign an SOC code?
Employers must review the job description against the official SOC code list and select the most appropriate match based on job responsibilities and skill level. If uncertain, legal or immigration experts can provide guidance.
Does salary affect the choice of SOC code?
Yes, each SOC code has a minimum salary threshold and salary rules that must be met for visa sponsorship. If the salary offered is below the required level, the visa application would be rejected.
Can an SOC code impact ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)?
For individuals on the Skilled Worker visa, their SOC code and salary level must still meet eligibility criteria when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Changes in job role or salary could affect ILR eligibility.
Section G: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| SOC Code | A four-digit Standard Occupational Classification code used to classify jobs based on skill level and responsibilities. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK work visa that allows foreign nationals to work in eligible occupations that meet salary and skill requirements. |
| Home Office | The UK government department responsible for immigration, visas, and border control. |
| Salary Threshold | The minimum salary requirement set for a specific SOC code, which must be met for visa sponsorship. |
| Occupational Classification | The system used by the UK government to categorise jobs based on their duties and required skill levels. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | A UK immigration status that allows a person to stay permanently without the need for further visa applications. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic document issued by a UK employer to support a Skilled Worker visa application. |
| Right to Work | Legal permission for an individual to work in the UK, verified by employers before hiring. |
| Immigration Rules | The legal framework governing visas, work permissions, and residency requirements in the UK. |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
