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Official data

UK Immigration Salary List (Shortage Occupation List) 2026

This page lists occupations on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List). You can see SOC codes, going rates, and when the data was last checked.

Source: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: Immigration Salary List, last updated 11 November 2025. Going rates from GOV.UK going rates for eligible occupations, last updated 22 July 2025. List membership on this page checked against the published tables on 12 September 2026; rate data synced .

25 occupations on this list

Occupations on the UK Immigration Salary List, with the jobs each code covers and the salary rates that apply
SOC codeJob titleWhich jobs in this codeGoing rateNew entrant rate
1212Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related servicesScotland onlyonly "fishing boat masters"£33,400£33,400
1232Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietorsAll jobs in this code£40,400£33,400
2111Chemical scientistsScotland onlyonly jobs in the nuclear industry£39,900£33,400
2112Biological scientistsAll jobs in this code£40,300£33,400
2115Social and humanities scientistsonly archaeologists£40,400£33,400
2142Graphic and multimedia designersAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
3111Laboratory techniciansonly jobs requiring 3 or more years' related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally.£33,400£33,400
3212Pharmaceutical techniciansAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
3411ArtistsAll jobs in this code£38,200£33,400
3414Dancers and choreographersonly skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognised by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales).£33,400£33,400
3415Musiciansonly skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals or numbered string positions, and who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras.£37,500£33,400
3416Arts officers, producers and directorsAll jobs in this code£38,100£33,400
5119Agriculture and fishing trades not elsewhere classifiedonly jobs in the fishing industry£33,400£33,400
5213Welding tradesonly high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years' related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally.£34,900£33,400
5235Boat and ship builders and repairersScotland onlyAll jobs in this code£33,700£33,400
5312Stonemasons and related tradesAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
5313BricklayersAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
5314Roofers, roof tilers and slatersAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
5316Carpenters and joinersAll jobs in this code£33,400£33,400
5319Construction and building trades not elsewhere classifiedonly retrofitters£33,400£33,400
6129Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classifiedonly racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders£33,400£33,400
6131Nursing auxiliaries and assistantsall jobs. Note: For Skilled Worker purposes, SOC 2020 occupation code 6131 only applies to roles in environments where registered nurse or other registered healthcare professional roles also exist.Not publishedNot published
6135Care workers and home carersall jobs, except 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. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants.£33,400£33,400
6136Senior care workersall jobs, except 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.£33,400£33,400
9119Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classifiedonly deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 metres and above) 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.£33,400£33,400

What being on the Immigration Salary List gives you

Two things, and only two. The salary floor drops to 80% of the route’s usual minimum rate, and the visa application fee is reduced. That is the whole concession.

It does not lower the going rate for the occupation itself, and it does not waive the English language requirement, the maintenance requirement, or any other part of the Skilled Worker route. It does not mean a particular vacancy is open — the employer must hold a sponsor licence and be willing to sponsor.

Read the scope column, not just the code

Fourteen of the twenty-five entries are restricted to particular jobs within the code. Social and humanities scientists (2115) are listed, but only archaeologists. Welding trades (5213) are listed, but only high integrity pipe welders with three or more years of relevant experience. Three entries — 1212, 2111 and 5235 — apply in Scotland only. A code appearing here does not mean every job in it qualifies, which is why the table reproduces the Home Office wording for each one.

The Immigration Salary List is not the Temporary Shortage List

They are separate lists doing different jobs. This one lowers the salary floor for 25 occupations that are already eligible. The Temporary Shortage Listgives 52 medium-skilled occupations below RQF Level 6 access to the Skilled Worker route at all — with no automatic salary discount, and only where the certificate of sponsorship is issued before 31 December 2026.

How the salary thresholds work

For most Skilled Worker applications the salary must meet the higher of the occupation going rate or the general threshold. Use the salary calculator to compare a specific offer against the applicable figures.

Find your SOC 2020 occupation code in the table above, then read the 'which jobs in this code' column. Most codes on the list are restricted — code 2115 covers social and humanities scientists, for example, but only archaeologists qualify. Being in a listed code is not enough on its own if your specific job falls outside the published scope.

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