Going Rate
The "going rate" is the minimum annual salary a UK employer must pay a sponsored Skilled Worker for a specific occupation — calculated from official earnings data and set per SOC code in the Home Office's immigration rules.
In This Article
- What is the going rate?
- How is the going rate calculated?
- General threshold vs going rate
- Going rate examples by occupation (2025/2026)
- Discounts on the going rate
- 2025/2026 updates
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is the Going Rate?
When a UK employer sponsors a worker on the Skilled Worker route, the salary offered must meet two minimum thresholds simultaneously:
- The general threshold — a single floor that applies to all Skilled Worker roles.
- The going rate — a per-occupation minimum specific to the worker's SOC code.
The worker must be paid whichever of these two is higher. In many technical and professional roles, the going rate exceeds the general threshold, making it the binding constraint.
How is the Going Rate Calculated?
The going rates are derived from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), published each year by the Office for National Statistics (most recently updated April 2024). The Home Office typically sets going rates at the 25th percentile of median earnings for each SOC code, meaning the salary sits at the lower quartile of what full-time employees in that occupation typically earn.
The rates are tied to real market data, not arbitrary government figures. The practical effect is that sponsored workers can't be undercut on pay versus domestic hires doing the same job.
General Threshold vs Going Rate
| Threshold | Current rate (from April 2024) |
|---|---|
| General threshold (all roles) | £41,700/year |
| Universal hourly minimum | £17.13/hour |
| Going rate | Varies by SOC code |
The worker must earn the higher of the general threshold or their SOC code's going rate.
Example: A software developer (SOC 2134) has a going rate above £41,700. The employer must pay the developer-specific rate, not just the £41,700 floor.
Example: An HR manager (SOC 1136) may have a going rate below £41,700. The employer must still pay at least £41,700.
Going Rate Examples by Occupation
| Role | SOC Code | Going Rate (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Software developer | 2134 | ~£49,400/year |
| Registered community nurse | 2232 | ~£35,392 (ISL rate) |
| Civil / structural engineer | 2121 | ~£44,200/year |
| Financial analyst | 2422 | ~£42,300/year |
| HR Manager | 1136 | ~£40,800/year |
These are indicative figures and rounded to the nearest hundred. For the current, authoritative going rate for any SOC code — and whether it qualifies for Skilled Worker sponsorship at all — check our UK visa occupation eligibility pages, which track the Home Office Appendix Skilled Occupations as it's updated.
Discounts on the Going Rate
For roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL), employers can pay a salary that is 20% below the going rate. This discount was introduced when the Shortage Occupation List was abolished in April 2024.
Additionally, certain transitional options (Options F–J) allow existing workers who were sponsored before April 2024 to be sponsored at lower rates during extensions, provided they haven't changed roles.
See Immigration Salary List for the current list of qualifying occupations.
2025/2026 Updates
The going rates were substantially revised in April 2024 using updated ASHE data, increasing minimum salaries across most occupations. A worker sponsored at the old thresholds may face a higher bar at visa renewal if their salary hasn't kept pace.
The general threshold itself rose from £26,200 (pre-April 2024) to £41,700, an increase of nearly 60%. If you were sponsored at the old thresholds, your next renewal could require a substantial pay rise to stay compliant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Rates change. Always check the current Appendix Skilled Occupations rather than relying on older HR guidance or last year's offer letter.
Don't confuse the going rate with a market rate. The going rate is a legal minimum, not a benchmark for what the role is worth. And watch the hourly floor: if an employee's annual salary converts to less than £17.13/hour based on 48-hour weeks, the application fails even if the annual figure looks fine.
For part-time workers, going rates are expressed as annual full-time equivalents. You must pay the proportional equivalent per hour, not simply a reduced annual figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the going rate apply to existing employees being sponsored for the first time?
Yes, every time. It doesn't matter if you've worked there for years. The going rate check kicks in whenever a Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.
Can employers include bonuses or overtime to meet the going rate?
No. Guaranteed base salary is what counts. Discretionary bonuses, commission, and overtime are excluded from the calculation.
What happens if the employer pays below the going rate?
The visa gets refused. If the underpayment is discovered after the visa was already granted, expect a compliance investigation and possible curtailment of the worker's leave.
Are NHS doctors and nurses subject to the same going rates?
They're on a separate track. NHS staff use the Health and Care Worker route, and their going rates align with national pay frameworks like Agenda for Change and medical/dental terms.
Related Terms
Check salary thresholds for your target role. Search jobs by SOC code →