2026 Statutory Pro-Rating Rules
Published going rates are based on a 37.5-hour week and are pro-rated for actual contracted weekly hours. You must meet both the general floor (£41,700 standard / £33,400 discounted) and the required percentage of the pro-rated going rate.
Salary Compliance Calculator
Pro-rates SOC 2020 going rates and evaluates against general thresholds
Example SOC 2020 37.5-Hour Going Rates Table
| SOC 2020 Code | Occupation Title | Published 37.5-Hr Going Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2134 | Programmers and software development professionals | £54,700 |
| 2135 | Cyber security professionals | £48,500 |
| 2133 | IT business analysts, architects and systems designers | £54,900 |
| 2137 | IT network professionals | £45,600 |
| 2121 | Civil engineers | £50,400 |
| 2122 | Mechanical engineers | £46,800 |
| 2421 | Chartered and certified accountants | £49,200 |
| 2432 | Marketing and commercial managers | £50,100 |
| 2431 | Management consultants and business analysts | £50,200 |
| 2141 | Web design professionals | £43,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions (6 Detailed FAQs)
The standard Skilled Worker salary option requires at least £41,700 a year and at least the full going rate for the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code.
Discounted options: Relevant PhD (£37,500 + 90% going rate), STEM PhD (£33,400 + 80%), Immigration Salary List (£33,400 + 100%), New Entrant (£33,400 + 70%).
Yes. Published going rates are based on a 37.5-hour working week and are pro-rated for other weekly hours stated by the sponsor.
No. SOC 2020 code 2135 is Cyber security professionals. Other technology roles have separate codes and going rates (e.g. 2134 for software developers).
Yes, if the PhD is directly relevant to the sponsored job. A relevant non-STEM PhD allows £37,500 + 90% going rate; STEM PhD allows £33,400 + 80%.
No. Salary is only one part of Skilled Worker eligibility. Sponsorship, skill level, English, suitability, and validity rules also apply.
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2026 Salary Benchmarks
Standard Floor£41,700 / yr
PhD Floor£37,500 / yr
STEM / ISL / New Entrant£33,400 / yr
Standard Base Hours37.5 hrs/week