Pharmacists SOC 2251
Pharmacists (SOC 2251, also written as job code 2251) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
Not sure if SOC 2251 applies to your situation?
The answer above is the general rule. Your case can be different if you already hold a visa and are extending or switching, if you were sponsored before a rule change, or depending on your salary. Our AI assistant can explain the full rules from gov.uk guidance.
Ask AI about SOC 2251What does a pharmacist do?
Pharmacists dispense drugs and medicaments in hospitals and pharmacies and advise on and participate in the development and testing of new drugs, compounds and therapies. They counsel on the proper use and adverse effects of drugs and medicines.
Typical tasks
- prepares or directs the preparation of prescribed medicaments in liquid, powder, tablet, ointment or other form following prescriptions issued by medical doctors and other health professionals
- advises health professionals on the selection and appropriate use of medicines
- highlights a drug’s potential side effects, identifies harmful interactions with other drugs and assesses the suitability of treatments for patients with particular health conditions
- checks that recommended doses are not being exceeded and that instructions are understood by patients
- maintains prescription files and records issue of narcotics, poisons and other habit-forming drugs
- liaises with other professionals regarding the development, manufacturing and testing of drugs
- tests and analyses drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength
- ensures that drugs and medicaments are in good supply and are stored properly
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants possess a degree in pharmacy. To register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), entrants must have completed a one year period of pre-registration training and passed a registration exam. Further training is available to permit pharmacists to prescribe medicines independently.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What pharmacists earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most pharmacists in the UK earn between £42,380 and £60,424 in basic pay.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
How to get sponsored as a pharmacist
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring pharmacists, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the NHS pay scale
Pharmacists roles follow the NHS national pay scale. Your employer must pay at least the Agenda for Change rate set by the Home Office for this occupation code, not the general £41,700 Skilled Worker threshold.
See NHS pay scales - 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
Roles under SOC 2251
Recent jobs under SOC 2251
Frequently asked questions
Can pharmacists get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Pharmacists roles fall under SOC 2251 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.
What is job code 2251?
Job code 2251, SOC code 2251 and occupation code 2251 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering pharmacists. The Home Office uses this 4-digit code on a Certificate of Sponsorship to check Skilled Worker visa eligibility and to set the going rate salary threshold for the role.
What salary do pharmacists need for visa sponsorship?
Pharmacists roles (SOC 2251) follow the NHS national pay scale rather than a fixed going rate. The minimum salary depends on your Agenda for Change pay band. Check the government's Agenda for Change guidance for your grade.
What job titles are covered by SOC 2251?
SOC 2251 covers a range of pharmacists roles, including: Pharmacists. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
Where can I find pharmacists jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Pharmacists roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.