SOC 2020 · 3417
Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
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)
£33,400
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 |
|---|---|
| 25th | £26,942 |
| 50th | £32,643 |
| Going rate | £33,400 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | £26,942 | £32,643 | — | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £27,194 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £31,485 | — | — |
| Scotland 2025 | — | — | £30,657 | — | — |
| South East 2025 | — | — | £32,538 | — | — |
| Wales |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators operate and assist with still, cine and television cameras, operate other equipment and software to record, manipulate and project sound and vision for entertainment, cultural, commercial and industrial purposes, including digital and interactive media; and operate drones to provide aerial video and photographs.
Typical tasks
selects subject and conceives composition of picture or discusses composition with colleagues
arranges subject, lighting, camera equipment and any microphones
inserts lenses and adjusts aperture and speed settings as necessary
operates scanning equipment to transfer image to computer and manipulates image to achieve the desired effect
photographs subject or follows action by moving camera
takes, records and manipulates digital images and digital video footage
controls transmission, broadcasting and satellite systems for television and radio programmes, identifies and solves related technical problems
checks operation and positioning of projectors, vision and sound recording equipment, and mixing and dubbing equipment
operates equipment to record, edit and play back films and television programmes
manages health and safety issues
operates sound mixing and dubbing equipment to obtain desired mix, level and balance of sound
maintains, repairs, programs and operates unmanned aircraft to provide aerial photographs and video
Entry routes and qualifications
There are no set academic requirements although entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades, A levels/H grades and are able to demonstrate proof of pre- entry work experience. A variety of diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications are available. Vocational qualifications in Photography are available at levels 1,2 and 3.