Engineering technicians SOC 3113
Engineering technicians (SOC 3113) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £42,500 per year. This role is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, so you may qualify with a lower salary and get extra points. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does an engineering technician do?
Engineering technicians perform a variety of technical support functions to assist engineers with the design, development, operation, installation and maintenance of engineering systems and constructions.
Typical tasks
- plans and prepares work and test schedules based on specifications and drawings
- sets up equipment, undertakes tests, takes readings, performs calculations and records and interprets data
- prepares estimates of materials, equipment and labour required for engineering projects
- diagnoses and detects faults and implements procedures to maintain efficient operation of systems and equipment
- inspects completed aircraft maintenance work to certify that it meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation;
- visits and advises clients on the use and servicing of mechanical and chemical engineering products and services
- provides health and safety inductions and adheres to health and safety procedures
- completes documentation such as project records, safety reports
- carries out stock takes
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants to training usually possess GCSEs/S grades. Vocational training consists either of full-time study for a BTEC/SQA award followed by two years on-the-job training, or an apprenticeship leading to a qualification at level 3 or 4. An NVQ/SVQ in Aircraft Engineering Maintenance at level 3 plus further professional qualifications are required to become a licensed aircraft engineer.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What engineering technicians earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most engineering technicians in the UK earn between £33,540 and £50,648 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £42,500 (SOC 3113), sitting at the 51st percentile of what UK employers pay and £328 above the median.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
How to get sponsored as an engineering technician
- 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 engineering technicians, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £42,500 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 3113 (£42,500) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 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.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £34,700 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 3113
Recent jobs under SOC 3113
Job Description Technical Manager Aircraft Records London Full time Why join Rolls-Royce? At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting, and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and back
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (311xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can engineering technicians get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Engineering technicians roles fall under SOC 3113 (Medium 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. This role is also on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which can mean a lower salary bar.
What salary do engineering technicians need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Engineering technicians (SOC 3113) is £42,500 (£21.79 per hour). Occupation rate applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 3113?
SOC 3113 covers a range of engineering technicians roles, including: Aerospace technicians, Wind turbine technicians, Engineering technicians not elsewhere classified.. 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.
What does the Shortage Occupation List mean for engineering technicians?
Engineering technicians (SOC 3113) is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which recognises a UK labour shortage in this field. In practice that means a lower salary threshold, plus extra "tradeable" points on your visa application. The Home Office lets shortage status stand in for a higher salary.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering engineering technicians roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For Engineering technicians, that works out to £34,700. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find engineering technicians jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Engineering technicians 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.