SOC 2020 · 3120
CAD, drawing and architectural 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
Temporary Shortage List
Listed roles carry their own restrictions — check GOV.UK.
Shortage list conditions
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)
£33,800
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£33,800
- General threshold£41,700
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | £24,108 |
| 25th | £29,500 |
| 50th | £35,221 |
| 75th | £42,481 |
| Going rate | £33,800 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | £24,108 | £29,500 | £35,221 | £42,481 | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £30,304 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £34,749 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £34,534 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £39,724 |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
CAD, drawing and architectural technicians design and prepare technical drawings, plans, maps, charts and similar items and install, operate and maintain 3D printers.
Typical tasks
examines design specification and technical information to determine general requirements
considers the suitability of different materials with regard to the dimensions and weight and calculates the likely fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds and threads
prepares regulatory and statutory applications
monitors health and safety in design and contributes to design stage risk assessment
prepares design drawings, plans or sketches using CAD and traditional methods and checks feasibility of construction and compliance with health and safety regulations
prepares detailed drawings, plans, charts or maps that include natural features, desired surface finish, elevations, electrical circuitry and other details as required
arranges for completed drawings to be reproduced for use as working drawings
installs, maintains and repairs 3D printers and assists in the development of CAM plans and the operation of 3D printers
Entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades, BTEC/ SQA awards or another appropriate certificate/diploma or A levels/H grades. Further training consists of courses of study and supervised practical experience.