SOC 2020 code 2321Health or education (national pay scale)
Head teachers and principals: Skilled Worker visa salary
Head teachers and principals (SOC 2321) 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. Teacher pay scales (qualified teachers from £31,650 in England).
- Minimum salary
- £25,000
- £12.82 an hour
What this covers
Job titles in SOC 2321 include: Head master (secondary school), Head teacher (primary school), Principal (further education), Rector (university).
Questions about SOC 2321
- What salary do head teachers and principals need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
- Head teachers and principals (SOC 2321) 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. Teacher pay scales (qualified teachers from £31,650 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.