Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements Explained (2026 Guide)

One of the most important requirements for getting a UK Skilled Worker visa is the salary requirement. Many applicants apply for jobs without checking whether the salary meets the visa rules, which often leads to rejection.

This guide explains the Skilled Worker visa salary requirements and how to check if a job qualifies.

Minimum salary requirement

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, your job must meet the minimum salary threshold set by the UK government.

Under the current rules, the general threshold is:

• GBP 38,700 per year, or
• the going rate for your job, whichever is higher

That means your salary must meet either the general threshold or the official occupation-specific rate.

You can verify the rule in the UK Government Skilled Worker visa guidance.

What is the going rate?

Each eligible occupation has its own salary benchmark called the going rate. This is the minimum salary the UK government sets for that type of role.

Approximate examples include:

• Software Developer: around GBP 49,000
• Data Analyst: around GBP 42,000
• Mechanical Engineer: around GBP 45,000
• Secondary School Teacher: around GBP 34,000
• Chef: around GBP 30,000

If the going rate for your job is higher than GBP 38,700, your salary must meet the going rate instead.

When you can be paid less

Some applicants may still qualify with a discounted salary in specific cases. This can apply if you are:

• under 26 years old
• a recent graduate
• in a graduate training programme
• holding a relevant PhD
• working in a shortage occupation, where applicable

There is still a minimum floor, so the salary cannot drop too low.

Important: not all jobs qualify

Even if a company wants to sponsor you, the role must still:

1. appear on the eligible occupation list
2. meet the salary requirement
3. be offered by a licensed sponsor

Warning: If the salary is below the required level, the visa application can be refused even when the employer is willing to sponsor you.

How to check if a job qualifies

Before applying, check the following:

• Is the company a licensed sponsor?
• Is the job on the eligible occupation list?
• Does the salary meet GBP 38,700 or the going rate?
• Does the role match an occupation code?

If the answer is yes to all four, the job is much more likely to qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Example

Suppose the role is Data Analyst, the salary is GBP 35,000, and the going rate is GBP 42,000.

That job may not qualify unless you are eligible for a salary discount.

If the salary is GBP 42,000, it is much more likely to qualify.

Final advice

Before applying for any UK job as an international applicant, always check the salary requirement first. Many jobs mention sponsorship, but the salary does not actually meet visa rules.

The best strategy is to focus on:

• licensed sponsor companies
• jobs on the eligible occupation list
• roles that meet Skilled Worker visa salary requirements

VisaAtlas helps job seekers compare salary rules, find sponsor companies, and identify employers that are more likely to sponsor Skilled Worker visas.