What is the Skilled Worker salary threshold?
The salary threshold is the minimum pay for a Skilled Worker visa: usually the higher of £41,700 a year and the going rate for the job’s occupation code.
The rule
GOV.UK sets the minimum as whichever is higher:
- £41,700 a year (the general threshold, since 22 July 2025)
- the going rate for the job’s SOC code
Only guaranteed basic pay counts, for up to 48 hours a week. Overtime, bonuses and pay that changes with your hours don’t count, and allowances usually don’t.
Which one applies
The going rate is the salary Appendix Skilled Occupations sets for each occupation. Of the 91 higher-skilled codes that have one (the other 30 follow national pay scales), 65 have a going rate above £41,700. For those jobs the going rate is the minimum. For the other 26, it is £41,700. (Our count from the appendix.)
For example, programmers and software development professionals (2134) have a going rate of £54,700, so that is the minimum. IT quality and testing professionals (2136) have a going rate of £41,200, so the minimum is £41,700.
When it can be lower
- New entrants (including most people switching from a Graduate visa): at least £33,400 and 70% of the going rate.
- PhD holders in a relevant job: 80% of the going rate and at least £33,400 (STEM PhD), or 90% and at least £37,500 (other PhD).
- Jobs on the Immigration Salary List: at least £33,400 and the going rate.
- Some health and education jobs: national pay scales.
The full list is on GOV.UK: when you can be paid less.
What it means for your job search
Most job pages on SponsorJobs show a Visa salary card with the going rate for the SOC code we think fits and whether the advertised pay meets it. It’s our reading of the advert; the code your employer uses is the one that counts.
Browse jobs at licensed sponsors · Every SOC code and its going rate
Common questions
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually the higher of £41,700 a year and the going rate for the job’s occupation code.
Do bonuses count towards the salary threshold?
No. Only guaranteed basic pay counts, not overtime, bonuses or pay that varies with hours.