How the Immigration Salary List Compares to UK Average and Median Pay

Understanding the Immigration Salary List in Context of UK Pay

The immigration salary list is a critical reference for employers sponsoring Skilled Worker visas and for overseas professionals considering UK roles. It sets minimum salary thresholds that must be met for visa approval. But how do these thresholds compare to what UK employees actually earn? This article examines the latest ONS earnings data, NHS pay scales, and the National Living Wage to give you a clear picture.

What the Immigration Salary List Requires

From April 2024, the general minimum salary for most Skilled Worker visa applications rose to £38,700 per year, or the occupation-specific 'going rate' — whichever is higher. For Health and Care Worker roles, the threshold is £41,700. The government’s aim was to align sponsored migration more closely with UK median earnings. As a result, the threshold now sits just below the national full-time median of £39,039 reported by ONS ASHE for April 2025.

It is important to note that the immigration salary list is not static. It is updated periodically, and some occupations have lower going rates — for example, nurses (SOC code 2231) have a going rate of £29,970, which is below the general threshold but still qualifies because the role is on the list. Always verify the current rates on GOV.UK before making decisions.

How UK Median and Mean Pay Compare

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the definitive source for UK earnings. For April 2025, median gross annual earnings for full-time employees were £39,039, up 4.3% from £37,439 the previous year. The mean (average) was higher at approximately £45,800, pulled upward by high earners. The ONS prefers the median because it is not distorted by extreme values.

When including part-time workers, the all-employee median drops to around £32,890. This is relevant because many sponsored roles are full-time, but some sectors (e.g., social care) rely heavily on part-time staff.

The immigration salary list threshold of £38,700 is therefore very close to the full-time median. For many occupations, employers must offer a salary that is at or above the typical UK worker’s pay. This has practical implications for both job seekers and employers.

NHS Pay and the Immigration Salary List

The NHS is one of the largest sponsors of Skilled Worker visas, particularly for nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals. NHS Agenda for Change pay bands for 2025-26 are as follows:

• Band 2: £23,615 starting
• Band 5 (newly qualified nurses): £29,970 to £36,483
• Band 6: £37,338 to £44,962
• Band 7: £45,753 to £52,067
• Band 8a: £53,755 to £60,504
• Band 9: up to £105,385

As you can see, many NHS roles fall below the £38,700 threshold. However, because nursing is on the immigration salary list with a lower going rate, nurses can still qualify for a visa at Band 5 pay. For doctors and senior roles, salaries typically exceed the threshold. The Health and Care Worker visa route has a higher threshold of £41,700, which means some Band 6 and most Band 7 roles would meet it, but Band 5 nurses would not unless they have additional allowances.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage Floors

The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over rose to £12.21 per hour from April 2025, and a further rise to £12.71 per hour is confirmed for April 2026. For a full-time worker on 37.5 hours per week, this equates to approximately £23,810 annually (2025 rate) and £24,785 (2026 rate). These figures are far below the immigration salary list threshold, highlighting that the visa system targets higher-skilled, better-paid roles.

Separate minimum wage rates apply for younger workers and apprentices. The NLW provides a floor, but the immigration salary list operates well above it.

Take-Home Pay: What Your Salary Actually Delivers

Gross salary and net take-home pay are very different in the UK. For the 2025-26 tax year, the personal allowance is £12,570. Income tax is 20% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 40% above that. National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above.

Using these rates, a salary of £38,700 (just above the immigration salary list threshold) yields a monthly take-home of approximately £2,600 after tax and NI. If you contribute 5% to a pension via auto-enrolment, take-home drops to around £2,500. For a salary of £39,039 (the median), monthly take-home is about £2,636, or £2,536 after a 5% pension contribution.

If you are employed in Scotland, different income tax bands apply: starter rate 19%, basic 20%, intermediate 21%, higher 42%, and top rate 48%. For a £38,700 salary, the difference in take-home compared to England is modest (around £20-30 less per month), but it grows at higher salaries.

Regional and Occupational Variations

UK average salaries vary significantly by region and occupation. For example, software developers earn a median of around £55,000, while chefs and cooks earn around £26,000. The immigration salary list accounts for this by setting occupation-specific going rates. A software developer on a Skilled Worker visa would need to be paid at least the going rate for that SOC code, which is likely higher than £38,700.

London weighting also matters. Many roles in London attract higher pay, and the immigration salary list does not have a separate London threshold — the same national going rate applies. However, employers may need to offer more to attract candidates in high-cost areas.

Practical Implications for Job Seekers

If you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa, your job offer must meet the minimum salary requirement. Check the immigration salary list for your occupation code to see the exact going rate. If your salary is below the threshold, you may not qualify unless you are a new entrant (e.g., under 26, or in a specific training role) where lower rates apply.

For UK employees benchmarking their pay, the immigration salary list provides a useful reference point. If your salary is below £38,700, you may be in a role that is less likely to be filled by overseas workers under the current rules. Conversely, roles paying above the median are more competitive internationally.

Summary

The immigration salary list threshold of £38,700 is closely aligned with the UK full-time median of £39,039. This means that most sponsored jobs now require pay at or near the national average. NHS roles, particularly nursing, have lower going rates but still qualify due to being on the list. Understanding these figures helps both job seekers and employers navigate the visa system and benchmark salaries effectively.

For more detailed salary data, visit our salary data page. To see how your pay compares to the national average, use our UK Average Salary guide.