Understanding the Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visa in the UK

Understanding the Salary Threshold for Skilled Worker Visa

If you are a UK employer looking to sponsor a worker from overseas, or a job seeker exploring visa-sponsored roles, the salary threshold for skilled worker visa is a critical figure. It determines the minimum pay you must offer or receive to qualify under the Skilled Worker route. This threshold is separate from the UK's statutory minimum wage rates (National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage) and is generally much higher.

The Two Thresholds: General and Occupation-Specific

The Skilled Worker visa has two salary requirements that work together. You must be paid at least the higher of:

• General threshold: £41,700 per year (as of July 2025)
• Occupation-specific going rate: the median annual earnings for your specific job code, based on the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data.

For example, a software developer has a going rate of £54,700, so they must be paid at least that amount, not £41,700. A data scientist must earn at least £55,100. These occupation-specific rates are updated periodically and vary by role. According to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the general threshold is designed to ensure a minimum economic contribution, while the occupation-specific threshold prevents underpayment compared to resident workers.

Age Bands and Eligibility

Unlike the National Living Wage (which depends on your age – £12.71/hr for 21+, £10.85/hr for 18–20, etc.), the salary threshold for skilled worker visa does not have age bands. It applies equally to all workers regardless of age. However, your age can affect eligibility for certain discounts. For instance, if you are under 26 and a new entrant to the labour market, you may qualify for a reduced general threshold of £33,400 per year. Similarly, recent PhD graduates (non-STEM) can access a lower threshold.

Discounts and Exceptions

Not everyone needs to meet the full £41,700. The system includes several discounts:

• New entrants: £33,400 per year (for those under 26, switching careers, or in certain shortage occupations)
• Prison officers: £31,300 per year (lower going rate)
• PhD holders: Reduced thresholds for STEM and non-STEM roles
• National pay scale occupations: NHS roles, teachers, and other public sector jobs follow their own pay bands (e.g., NHS Band 5 minimum £29,970). These roles are exempt from the standard thresholds.

It is important to check the specific going rate for your occupation code on GOV.UK guidance. The Home Office provides a table of going rates for each eligible SOC code.

Real-World Advertised Salaries

To give you a sense of what employers are actually offering, the SkilledRouteUK sponsored salary guide (based on live adverts from licensed sponsors) shows median advertised salaries for many roles. For example:

• Software development: £70,000 (going rate £54,700)
• Doctor: £63,696 (varies by grade)
• Data science: £65,000 (going rate £55,100)
• Nursing: £40,136 (NHS Band 5 minimum £29,970)
• Mechanical engineering: £50,000 (going rate £46,800)

These figures are median advertised, not guaranteed offers, but they indicate the market level. Many roles pay well above the visa threshold, especially in tech and healthcare.

How to Check Your Eligibility

If you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must ensure your salary meets the higher of the general threshold and the occupation-specific going rate. Use the official GOV.UK going rates table to find your occupation code. Remember that the general threshold is never pro-rated for part-time hours, but the occupation-specific threshold is pro-rated. So a part-time worker must still earn at least £41,700 per year (unless discounted) even if they work fewer hours.

For more details on UK pay rates, see our UK Minimum Wage, pay guides, and pay data pages. These cover statutory minimums, average earnings, and sector-specific trends.

Summary

The salary threshold for skilled worker visa is a dual system: £41,700 general threshold plus occupation-specific median earnings. It is much higher than the National Living Wage and is not age-dependent, though age can unlock discounts. Always verify the latest figures on GOV.UK guidance, as thresholds are updated periodically (last major change July 2025, with further recommendations from the MAC suggesting a rise to £44,000 based on ASHE 2025).