SOC 2020 · 3111
Laboratory technicians
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Shortage list only
Below the usual skill level, but listed.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List
Listed roles carry their own restrictions — check GOV.UK.
Shortage list conditions
Immigration Salary List: only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. Listed until 31 Dec 2026.
Temporary Shortage List: all jobs in this code. Certificate of sponsorship must be issued before 31 Dec 2026.
Shortage-list jobs are below the usual skill level, so employers face restrictions such as no dependants and no salary discount. Check GOV.UK for the current conditions.
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)
£33,400
General threshold
£41,700
Visa thresholds from
Minimum for this role
£41,700
Home Office going rates from
New entrants and some other cases can use 70% of the going rate, £33,400, 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£33,400
- General threshold£41,700
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | £22,284 |
| 25th | £24,975 |
| 50th | £28,210 |
| 75th | £34,028 |
| Going rate | £33,400 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | £22,284 | £24,975 | £28,210 | £34,028 | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £29,779 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £25,466 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £32,732 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £27,230 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and checks and perform a variety of technical support functions requiring the application of established or prescribed procedures and techniques to assist scientists with their research, development, analysis and testing, and to verify the physical, chemical and other characteristics of materials and products.
Typical tasks
sets up and assists with the construction and the development of scientific apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes
prepares organic and inorganic material for examination and stains and fixes slides for microscope work
operates and services specialised scientific equipment, undertakes prescribed measurements and analyses and ensures that sterile conditions necessary for some equipment are maintained
records and collates data obtained from experimental work and documents all work carried out
maintains and rotates stock and supplies
disposes of chemical and biological waste safely
keeps up to date with new technical developments
Entry routes and qualifications
Entry varies from employer to employer. Entrants usually possess a degree, although entry is also possible with A-levels, GCSEs/S grades, an appropriate BTEC/SQA award or HNC/HND. Professional qualifications, NVQs/SVQs at various levels, and apprenticeships are available in some areas of work. Good eyesight, and in some cases, normal colour vision are also required.