2026 Salary Thresholds for the UK Skilled Worker Visa: Full Breakdown

Under the 2026 rules, a Skilled Worker salary must meet the higher of two figures: the general Skilled Worker threshold (the floor that applies to everyone) and the going rate for the specific SOC 2020 occupation code on the Certificate of Sponsorship. That single rule — the higher of two numbers — is where most applicants come unstuck.

The two figures

The general threshold is set by the Home Office and rises annually, usually in April. It is a blunt instrument: the same number for a software developer, a chef and a quantity surveyor. As of April 2026 it sits around £41,700 for full-time work. Confirm the current value on GOV.UK before relying on it.

The going rate is published per SOC 2020 occupation code. There are roughly 400 four-digit codes in the Skilled Worker route, each with its own going rate intended to reflect the 25th percentile of UK earnings for that occupation. For a “Programmer / software development professional” (SOC 2136) the going rate sits around £49,400; for a “Care worker / home carer” (SOC 6145) it sits around £23,200.

Discounts that lower the floor

The general threshold can be reduced — though never to zero — under specific, published circumstances:

• New entrant. Up to 30% off the going rate (with the general threshold also reduced) where the applicant is under 26 at the date of application, is in their first three years on the Skilled Worker route, is moving from a Student or Graduate Route visa, or is working toward a recognised UK professional qualification.
• PhD discount. 10% off the going rate for a PhD relevant to the role; 20% if the PhD is in a STEM subject relevant to the role.
• Immigration Salary List. Certain roles previously on the Shortage Occupation List are now on the Immigration Salary List, attracting a reduced going rate. The list is reviewed annually by the Migration Advisory Committee.
• Health and Care exemption. Roles paid against national pay scales for NHS positions can use the published pay-scale value instead of the going rate.

Applicants can stack at most one discount in most cases.

Worked examples

Software developer (SOC 2136), aged 29, no PhD, standard role.

• General threshold: ~£41,700
• Going rate for SOC 2136: ~£49,400
• Applicable floor: £49,400 (the higher of the two)
• Annual salary on CoS must be ≥ £49,400

Software developer (SOC 2136), aged 24, recent Graduate Route holder.

• New-entrant discount applies: 30% off the going rate.
• Discounted going rate: ~£34,580
• General threshold (also discounted for new entrants): ~£33,400
• Applicable floor: £34,580

Care worker (SOC 6145), Health and Care visa, CQC-regulated provider.

• Going rate for SOC 6145: ~£23,200
• General threshold (reduced for Health and Care): aligns with the going rate.
• Applicable floor: £23,200

Chef (SOC 5434), Skilled Worker visa, aged 35.

• Going rate for SOC 5434: ~£29,000
• General threshold: ~£41,700
• Applicable floor: £41,700 — the general threshold is higher than the going rate, so it dominates.

That last example is the surprise. Chef roles sit well below the general threshold by going rate alone, but because the general threshold applies across the board, an employer offering a chef less than the general threshold cannot legally sponsor them on the standard route.

How the figure is checked

The Home Office reads the salary directly from the Certificate of Sponsorship. It is the basic gross salary for the role — not the total package. Bonuses, commissions, share options, accommodation and in-kind benefits are excluded. Allowances are sometimes included but only in tightly-defined cases.

Hours matter. A 40-hour week is compared against the full-time figure. Working fewer hours pro-rates the comparison figure too, so part-time work can still qualify if the per-hour rate is right — the going-rate calculation is then made against a 37.5-hour standard week unless the SOC code specifies otherwise.

Common mistakes

• Counting a bonus to push gross salary across the line. The Home Office excludes bonuses entirely.
• Assuming the going rate in 2024 still applies. The rates were refreshed for April 2026.
• Accepting an offer with the wrong SOC code. A close-but-wrong code can either inflate or deflate the going rate, leading to refusal in either direction.

For the canonical figures, see Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK. For an explainer on SOC codes themselves, see our guide to SOC 2020 codes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 2026 general salary threshold for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

The general threshold sits around £41,700 for full-time work as of April 2026. The published figure is updated on GOV.UK each April — confirm the current value before relying on it for a real application.

What is the going rate for my role?

The going rate is published per SOC 2020 occupation code. There are around 400 four-digit codes in the Skilled Worker route, each with its own rate intended to reflect the 25th percentile of UK earnings for the occupation.

Can my salary fall below the general threshold?

Only with a recognised discount. The new-entrant rules, PhD discount, Immigration Salary List and Health and Care pay-scale rule can lower the figure, but never to zero. Most applicants can stack at most one discount.

Does the Home Office count bonuses or share options toward my salary?

No. The Home Office reads the basic gross salary on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Bonuses, commissions, share options, accommodation and in-kind benefits are excluded. Allowances are sometimes included, but only in tightly-defined cases.