What Is the Immigration Salary List UK?

The immigration salary list UK is a key tool used by the Home Office to set reduced salary thresholds for skilled worker visas in occupations where there is a recognised shortage of resident workers. The list is updated periodically and relies on official earnings data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Understanding how hourly rates convert to annual salaries is essential for both employers sponsoring visas and workers applying for them.

UK Pay Benchmarks from Official Sources

ONS ASHE 2025 – Median Earnings

The most recent ONS ASHE data (April 2025) shows that median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £39,039, a 4.3% increase from £37,439 in 2024. Median weekly earnings stood at £766.60, and median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) were £19.67 per hour. These figures are provisional and based on a 1% sample of PAYE records.

Full-time is defined by ONS as employees working more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 or more for teaching professions). The median hourly rate of £19.67 translates to an annual salary of approximately £38,356 if working 37.5 hours per week for 52 weeks (£19.67 × 37.5 × 52). The slight difference from the £39,039 annual figure reflects that annual ASHE data includes employees who have been in the same job for at least a year and may include pay during absence.

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

For lower-paid roles, the government sets statutory minimum rates. As of April 2025, the National Living Wage (for employees aged 21 and over) is £12.21 per hour. At 37.5 hours per week, this gives an annual salary of £23,809.50. The rates for younger workers and apprentices are lower: £10.00 for ages 18–20, and £7.55 for ages 16–17 and apprentices in their first year.

NHS Pay Scales 2026/27

The NHS is one of the largest employers in the UK and its pay scales are often used as a reference for healthcare occupations on the immigration salary list. NHS Employers published the 2026/27 pay scales effective from 1 April 2026. The lowest band (Band 1, closed to new entrants) has an entry hourly rate of £12.92. Higher bands increase significantly. For example, the mean annual basic pay per full-time equivalent (FTE) in NHS Trusts was £44,457 in the 12 months to June 2026, according to NHS Digital. This figure includes Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) for London and surrounding areas.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

A standard conversion used by employers and the Home Office is:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × contracted weekly hours × 52 weeks

Most full-time roles assume between 35 and 40 hours per week. The ONS uses 30+ hours for its full-time definition, but visa calculations often use 37.5 or 39 hours. Here are examples based on 37.5 hours per week:

Hourly Rate	Weekly	Annual Gross
£12.21 (NLW)	£457.88	£23,809.50
£19.67 (median)	£737.63	£38,356
£20.00	£750.00	£39,000
£25.00	£937.50	£48,750
£30.00	£1,125.00	£58,500

For a 40-hour week, multiply by 40 instead. Our hourly calculator lets you input your own hours and see the annual gross and estimated net pay after tax and National Insurance.

Regional and Seniority Differences

London Weighting

Many employers, especially in the public sector, add a London weighting or HCAS to basic pay. For example, NHS outer London HCAS adds 20% of basic salary (minimum £5,794, maximum £8,746 per year). This can significantly increase the annual equivalent of an hourly rate. The immigration salary list may also have separate thresholds for London and the rest of the UK.

Seniority and Occupation

Pay varies widely by occupation and seniority. The median full-time figure of £39,039 masks large differences. For instance, NHS mean basic pay per FTE is £44,457, reflecting a mix of bands. Higher-skilled occupations such as software developers, engineers, and medical professionals typically have going rates well above the median. The immigration salary list uses occupation-specific median earnings from ASHE to set the required salary.

How to Use This Information

If you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa or sponsoring an employee, you need to check the specific going rate for the occupation code on the immigration salary list. The Home Office publishes these rates, which are updated after each ASHE release. Use our salary data page to explore typical earnings by occupation and region. You can also read our salary articles for more guidance on UK pay benchmarks.

Disclaimer

The figures in this article are based on official sources as of the latest available data. Hourly-to-salary conversions assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonuses, tips, or salary sacrifice. Actual pay depends on your contract, rota, holiday pay method, London weighting, and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance for visa salary requirements.