SOC 5213 — Welding trades: Skilled Worker going rate 2026
The Skilled Worker going rate for SOC 5213 (Welding trades) is £34,900 per year (£17.90 per hour) as of 8 April 2026. To qualify for a visa in this occupation you must be paid the higher of the £41,700 general threshold or this going rate — £41,700 per year — unless a published exception applies. (Tarve analysis of gov.uk Immigration Rules data.)
| Standard going rate (annual) | £34,900 |
| Hourly equivalent (37.5h week) | £17.90/hour |
| General salary threshold | £41,700 (pay the higher of the two) |
| Minimum you must be paid | £41,700/year |
| Immigration Salary List | Yes — UK-wide, lower rate £29,500 (£15.13/hr) |
| Hourly floor (all roles) | £17.13/hour |
Frequently asked questions
What is the going rate for SOC 5213 (Welding trades)?
The standard going rate for SOC 5213, Welding trades, is £34,900 per year (£17.90 per hour, based on a 37.5-hour week), effective from 8 April 2026. Source: gov.uk Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Occupations.
What salary do I need for a Skilled Worker visa in this occupation?
You must be paid the higher of the general salary threshold (£41,700 per year) or the occupation's going rate of £34,900. For SOC 5213 that means at least £41,700 per year, unless a published exception (for example new entrant or Immigration Salary List rules) applies to your case.
Is Welding trades on the Immigration Salary List?
Yes. SOC 5213 appears on the Immigration Salary List (UK-wide — High integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3+ years of related on-the-job experience (this experience must not have been gained while working illegally)). ISL entries carry a discounted salary requirement (published lower rate £29,500 (£15.13/hr)). Note the ISL is being phased out — check current status on gov.uk.
How is the hourly going rate calculated?
Going rates are published on a 37.5-hour-per-week basis. For SOC 5213 the annual rate of £34,900 corresponds to £17.90 per hour. A minimum hourly floor of £17.13 applies across Skilled Worker roles regardless of working pattern.
Hiring or job-hunting in welding trades?
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Source & verification
Figures are taken verbatim from the gov.uk Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Occupations and were verified on 3 July 2026. Tarve is an independent information service, not a regulated immigration adviser — always confirm the current rules on gov.uk before acting.