Skilled Worker salary calculator

Type the job title or SOC code and get the minimum salary the role must pay, with going rates, new-entrant discounts, and transitional rules applied for you.

What the calculator checks

Every Skilled Worker role has two thresholds: the general minimum (£41,700 a year for most new applications since 22 July 2025) and the occupation's going rate, set by its SOC code. You must pay whichever is higher.

The calculator looks up both, then applies the reductions that are easy to miss: the new-entrant rate for candidates under 26 or switching from a Student or Graduate visa, PhD discounts, and the lower transitional rates for workers sponsored before the 2024 and 2025 rule changes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?

£41,700 a year for most new applications, or the occupation's going rate if that's higher. Discounted rates apply for new entrants and some transitional cases.

What is a going rate?

Each SOC occupation code has its own minimum salary set by the Home Office. If it's higher than the general threshold, the going rate wins.

Does the candidate's age matter?

Under-26 candidates can qualify for the new-entrant rate, a discounted threshold. The calculator checks this from the date of birth.

What if my worker was sponsored before the rules changed?

Workers with a Certificate of Sponsorship issued before 4 April 2024, or sponsored before 22 July 2025, can qualify for lower transitional rates. The calculator applies these automatically.

Keep reading

New to sponsorship? Start with our Skilled Worker visa guide. Budgeting the whole hire? Use the visa fees calculator and the sponsor licence calculator.