Quality assurance technicians SOC 3115
Quality assurance technicians (SOC 3115) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £33,400 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 a quality assurance technician do?
Quality assurance technicians perform a variety of technical inspections and testing and monitoring tasks to detect processing, manufacturing and other defects.
Typical tasks
- sets up scientific, electronic, or other technical equipment to perform functional and inspection tests
- analyses and interprets the results of tests undertaken and writes up reports upon completion
- supervises the work of routine inspection staff and notes any defects reported
- assists quality control engineers in undertaking production audits
- liaises with production engineers and staff to maintain the quality of output and to develop quality management systems.
- establishes product specifications
- maintains equipment and systems used
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants normally possess a degree, GCSEs/S grades, a BTEC/ SQA award or A levels/H grades. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by training courses where instruction in specific techniques is required. Various industry-specific qualifications encompass aspects of quality control.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What quality assurance technicians earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most quality assurance technicians in the UK earn between £28,444 and £41,340 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £33,400 (SOC 3115), sitting at the 51st percentile of what UK employers pay and £432 above the median. Since this falls below the general salary threshold, sponsors must pay at least £41,700.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
How to get sponsored as a quality assurance 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 quality assurance technicians, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £33,400 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 3115 (£33,400) 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 £26,500 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 3115
Recent jobs under SOC 3115
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Experian Consumer Services are looking for a QA Engineer to join one of our Marketplace product teams, in this role you will consistently build quality into what we deliver. You will operate within a cross‑functional team and work closely with engineers, product owners, and stakeholders to support quality throughout the development lifecycle. You will need to have a strong QA foundation and enjoy understanding how systems work, identifying risk, and collaborating with others to deliver reliable,
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What You’ll Do… As a Senior Quality Engineer – IQC, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that all incoming materials—from powders and liquids to structural components—meet rigorous technical specifications and customer requirements. You’ll work within the Incoming Quality Control (IQC) labs, performing and managing testing activities, supporting problem resolution, and driving improvements in inspection processes. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with cross-functional teams and col
Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (311xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can quality assurance technicians get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Quality assurance technicians roles fall under SOC 3115 (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 quality assurance technicians need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Quality assurance technicians (SOC 3115) is £41,700 (£21.38 per hour). Standard minimum 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 3115?
SOC 3115 covers a range of quality assurance technicians roles, including: Quality assurance technicians. 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 quality assurance technicians?
Quality assurance technicians (SOC 3115) 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 quality assurance 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 Quality assurance technicians, that works out to £26,500. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find quality assurance technicians jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Quality assurance 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.