SOC 2020 code 3511Eligible
Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers: Skilled Worker visa salary
For a Skilled Worker visa in SOC 3511 (aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers), you need a salary of at least £80,400 a year: the going rate for this occupation, which is above the £41,700 general minimum. New entrants, such as recent graduates, people under 26 or those switching from a Student or Graduate visa, need at least £56,300.
- Minimum salary
- £80,400
- £41.23 an hour
- Going rate
- £80,400
- For a 37.5-hour week
- New entrants
- £56,300
- 70% of the going rate, at least £33,400
What this covers
Job titles in SOC 3511 include: Airline pilots, Air traffic controllers, Flying instructors, Helicopter pilots.
Questions about SOC 3511
- What salary do aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
- For a Skilled Worker visa in SOC 3511 (aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers), you need a salary of at least £80,400 a year: the going rate for this occupation, which is above the £41,700 general minimum. New entrants, such as recent graduates, people under 26 or those switching from a Student or Graduate visa, need at least £56,300.
- What is the going rate for SOC 3511?
- The going rate for Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers (SOC 3511) is £80,400 a year (£41.23 an hour) for a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working patterns.
- Can a new graduate be sponsored in SOC 3511?
- Yes, if the job meets the new-entrant rate: at least £56,300 a year, which is 70% of the going rate and no less than £33,400. New-entrant rates can be used for up to four years in total.
- 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.