SOC 2020 · 2240
Veterinarians
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Eligible
This occupation appears on Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Salary floor
£49,500
The going rate, £49,500, 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)
£49,500
General threshold
£41,700
Visa thresholds from
Minimum for this role
£49,500
Home Office going rates from
New entrants and some other cases can use 70% of the going rate, £34,600, 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.
ONS has not published enough of the pay distribution for Veterinarians in UK to draw it. The figures we do hold are shown above.
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | — | £51,058 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £49,907 | — | — |
| North West 2025 | — | — | £44,232 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal injuries, diseases and disorders, and advise on preventative action. They may work in practices, specialising according to their location in either a rural or urban area, or in the public sector or associated industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production or drug regulation.
Typical tasks
examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests
inoculates animals against communicable diseases
administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery
investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care
euthanises old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals
performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products
performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations
carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students
maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation
Entry routes and qualifications
Entrants will require a university degree in veterinary science and registration as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Pre-entry experience in a veterinary practice may be required for entry to a university veterinary school.