SOC 2020 · 2134
Programmers and software development professionals
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Eligible
This occupation appears on Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Salary floor
£54,700
The going rate, £54,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
Salary the job must pay
A Skilled Worker job must pay at least the higher of the general threshold and the going rate for its occupation code.
Going rate (standard)
£54,700
General threshold
£41,700
Visa thresholds from
Minimum for this role
£54,700
Home Office going rates from
New entrants and some other cases can use 70% of the going rate, £38,300, subject to the lower general threshold of £33,400.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
- UK pay for this occupation
- Going rate£54,700
- General threshold£41,700
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | £32,835 |
| 25th | £42,289 |
| 50th | £56,914 |
| 75th | £75,794 |
| 90th | £102,860 |
| Going rate | £54,700 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | £32,835 | £42,289 | £56,914 | £75,794 | £102,860 |
| East 2025 | — | — | £60,989 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £49,685 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £75,296 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Programmers and software development professionals design, develop, test, implement and maintain software systems on a range of platforms in order to meet the specifications and business objectives of the information system; they also design and develop specialist software e.g. for computer games.
Typical tasks
examines existing software and determines requirements for new/modified systems in the light of business needs
undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions
writes and codes individual programs according to specifications
develops user interfaces
tests and corrects software programs
writes code for specialist programming for computer games, (for example, artificial intelligence, 3D engine development)
implements and evaluates the software
plans and maintains database structures
writes operational documentation and provides subsequent support and training for users
develops website and website interfaces and establishes methods to ensure appropriate website security and recovery
Entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification, although entry with other academic qualifications and/or significant relevant experience is possible. There is a variety of vocational, professional and postgraduate qualifications available.