TL;DR
- Skilled Worker salary requirement = the higher of: (1) the going rate for your specific occupation, or (2) the general threshold (GBP 38,700 as of April 2024)
- New entrants (including Graduate Route switchers under 26) qualify for 70% of the going rate, minimum GBP 20,960
- The general threshold increase to GBP 38,700 (April 2024) was a significant jump from the previous GBP 26,200—but the new entrant rate protects early-career graduates
- PhD graduates in STEM subjects and “new entrants” are the two groups most protected from the threshold increases
- Different going rates apply for healthcare, education, and certain public sector occupations
How the Threshold Works
The Skilled Worker salary requirement is the HIGHER of:
- The occupation-specific going rate: Each Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code has a published going rate (based on the 25th percentile of full-time earnings in that occupation)
- The general salary threshold: GBP 38,700 per year (as of April 2024)
For new entrants (including Graduate Route switchers under 26 or in their first post-study role), the requirement is 70% of the going rate, subject to a minimum of GBP 20,960. The new entrant general threshold is GBP 30,960 (instead of GBP 38,700).
Going Rates for Common Graduate Occupations (2026)
1、 IT Business Analyst / Systems Designer · SOC Code: 2135 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 36,300 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 25,410 2、 Programmer / Software Developer · SOC Code: 2136 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 34,300 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 24,010 3、 Civil Engineer · SOC Code: 2121 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 33,500 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 23,450 4、 Mechanical Engineer · SOC Code: 2122 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 33,200 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 23,240 5、 Electrical Engineer · SOC Code: 2123 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 34,600 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 24,220 6、 Chartered/Management Accountant · SOC Code: 2421 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 33,100 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 23,170 7、 Management Consultant · SOC Code: 2423 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 38,200 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 26,740 8、 Marketing Associate · SOC Code: 3543 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 28,000 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 20,960 (floor) 9、 Graphic Designer · SOC Code: 3421 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 26,400 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 20,960 (floor) 10、 Research Scientist (natural sciences) · SOC Code: 2119 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 32,500 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 22,750 11、 University Lecturer · SOC Code: 2311 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 37,100 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 25,970 12、 Secondary School Teacher · SOC Code: 2314 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 32,800 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 22,960 13、 Solicitor / Lawyer · SOC Code: 2419 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 38,100 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 26,670 14、 Nurse · SOC Code: 2231 · Standard Going Rate: GBP 30,100 · New Entrant Rate (70%): GBP 21,070
Going rates based on latest published SOC data. Rates are updated annually. Always check the current SOC code and going rate before applying.
Healthcare and Education: Different Rules
Healthcare and education occupations have separate salary scales and different rules:
- NHS roles (Agenda for Change): Salary thresholds are based on NHS pay bands. The national pay scale determines what band your role falls into. Most newly qualified nurses start at Band 5 (GBP 29,970 in 2025–26).
- Teachers: The national teacher pay scale determines salary. Newly qualified teachers in England start at GBP 31,650 (September 2025).
- Doctors in training: Foundation Year 1 doctors earn approximately GBP 35,000–37,000 in 2025–26.
These occupations typically meet the going rate through their structured national pay scales. The challenge is more about finding a sponsoring employer than meeting the salary requirement.
The GBP 38,700 General Threshold: What It Means
The general threshold increase from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 (April 2024) created a new constraint: even if your occupation’s going rate is low, your salary must also meet the general threshold.
For new entrants: The reduced general threshold is GBP 30,960. This is the number that matters for most Graduate Route switchers.
Practical impact: A new entrant software developer earning GBP 35,000 in London clears both the going rate (GBP 24,010 at new entrant rate) and the general threshold (GBP 30,960 at new entrant rate). A marketing associate earning GBP 28,000 meets the going rate but must be paid at least GBP 30,960—requiring a higher salary than the occupation-specific rate would suggest.
The GBP 38,700 does NOT apply if: You’re a new entrant (still in your first 4 years of Skilled Worker), you’re in a health/care occupation on a national pay scale, or you’re in an occupation on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List) where the threshold is reduced by 20%.
FAQ
Q: Can my salary include bonuses, allowances, and overtime? A: Basic salary and guaranteed allowances (e.g., London weighting) count toward the threshold. Discretionary bonuses, overtime, and non-guaranteed payments do not. The CoS must state the guaranteed salary that meets the threshold.
Q: What if I work part-time? A: The salary thresholds are pro-rated for part-time work, but the hourly equivalent must meet the going rate. Part-time Skilled Worker sponsorship is possible but employers are less likely to sponsor part-time roles.
Q: How often do going rates change? A: Annually, typically in April, alongside the fiscal year. The Home Office publishes updated going rates based on the latest ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Plan for incremental increases.
Q: Can I change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa? A: Yes, but you need a new CoS from the new employer and must submit a new application. The new role must meet the same Skilled Worker requirements (skill level, salary threshold). You cannot start working for the new employer until your new application is approved. The 60-day curtailment period applies if you leave your previous role before the new visa is approved.