SOC 2020 · 4122
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks
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 |
|---|---|
| 10th | £23,000 |
| 25th | £26,802 |
| 50th | £31,560 |
| 75th | £40,123 |
| 90th | £50,845 |
| Going rate | £33,400 |
| General threshold | £41,700 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | £23,000 | £26,802 | £31,560 | £40,123 | £50,845 |
| East 2025 | — | — | £30,777 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £29,776 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £36,484 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks maintain and balance records of financial transactions, oversee the operation of payroll functions and calculate hours worked, wages due and other relevant contributions and deductions.
Typical tasks
records and checks accuracy of daily financial transactions
prepares provisional balances and reconciles these with appropriate accounts
supervises payroll team and develops payroll systems and procedures
calculates and records hours worked, wages due, deductions and voluntary contributions
processes holiday, sick and maternity pay and travel and subsistence expenses
compiles schedules and distributes or arranges distribution of wages and salaries
calculates costs and overheads and prepares analyses for management
Entry routes and qualifications
There are no minimum academic requirements, although entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications, and maths may be required. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available, and apprenticeships may be available in some areas.