Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks SOC 4122
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks (SOC 4122) 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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerk do?
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks maintain and balance records of financial transactions, oversee the operation of payroll functions and calculate hours worked, wages due and other relevant contributions and deductions.
Typical tasks
- records and checks accuracy of daily financial transactions
- prepares provisional balances and reconciles these with appropriate accounts
- supervises payroll team and develops payroll systems and procedures
- calculates and records hours worked, wages due, deductions and voluntary contributions
- processes holiday, sick and maternity pay and travel and subsistence expenses
- compiles schedules and distributes or arranges distribution of wages and salaries
- calculates costs and overheads and prepares analyses for management
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no minimum academic requirements, although entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications, and maths may be required. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available, and apprenticeships may be available in some areas.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks earn in the UK
Plus £663 – £3,873 in bonus & commission
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks in the UK earn between £27,560 and £39,884 in basic pay, with experienced professionals in the top 10% earning above £50,856. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £33,400 (SOC 4122), sitting at the 55th percentile of what UK employers pay and £1,524 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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerk
- 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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks, 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 4122 (£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 £25,400 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 4122
Recent jobs under SOC 4122
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (412xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks roles fall under SOC 4122 (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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks (SOC 4122) 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 4122?
SOC 4122 covers a range of book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks roles, including: Accounting clerks and bookkeepers, Payroll officers and wages clerks, Bookkeepers, payroll managers and wage clerks 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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks?
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks (SOC 4122) 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 book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks 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 Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks, that works out to £25,400. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks 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.