SOC 2020 code 2252Health or education (national pay scale)
Optometrists: Skilled Worker visa salary
Optometrists (SOC 2252) is a listed health or education occupation, so the salary must be at least £25,000 a year and meet the national pay scale for the role. NHS Agenda for Change band for the role (Band 5 is £29,970 in England).
- Minimum salary
- £25,000
- £12.82 an hour
What this covers
Job titles in SOC 2252 include: Doctor of optometry, Ophthalmic optician, Optician.
Questions about SOC 2252
- What salary do optometrists need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
- Optometrists (SOC 2252) is a listed health or education occupation, so the salary must be at least £25,000 a year and meet the national pay scale for the role. NHS Agenda for Change band for the role (Band 5 is £29,970 in England).
- Who decides which occupation code a job uses?
- Your sponsor chooses the SOC 2020 code when it assigns your certificate of sponsorship. It must match the job's actual duties, not just its title.
Related occupations
Source: Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations and the Temporary Shortage List on GOV.UK, as of 13 October 2026. A guide, not immigration advice: PhD discounts, the Immigration Salary List and pre-April-2024 transitional rates aren't covered.