SOC 2020 code 2134 · Professional occupations
Whether this occupation can be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa, its going rate, the job titles filed under the code, and the licensed sponsors advertising these jobs.
Eligible
Programmers and software development professionals (SOC 2134) is an eligible occupation in Appendix Skilled Occupations, so jobs in it can be sponsored for a new Skilled Worker visa.
Annual salaries for a 37.5-hour week, from Appendix Skilled Occupations (updated 3 Aug 2026).
The going rate is £54,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week. A new Skilled Worker applicant must usually be paid at least £54,700: the general minimum of £41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher. Some people can be paid less, for example new entrants, where the minimum for this occupation is £38,300.
Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.
The ONS coding index files 164 job titles under this code. A note in brackets is the setting the title applies to: the same title can sit under another code elsewhere. The code on a certificate of sponsorship follows the job’s duties, so check them with or the employer.
Since October 2025 we read 22 adverts that we placed in this code from the job title, 16 of them still open, from 7 employers on the register of licensed sponsors. The median advertised salary was £53,595 (19 adverts with a salary), and 9 were at or above the £54,700 going rate.
Open adverts checked against the employer, occupation and salary rules for a new visa:
Matchtech · London · £45,000 to £55,000 a year · Not for a new visa
McGregor Boyall · London · £70,000 to £100,000 a year · Check first
eFinancialCareers Ltd · Manchester · Check first
ZENOVO LTD · UK · £55,518 a year · Check first
Randstad UK Holding Ltd · Belfast, Northern Ireland · £75,000 a year · Check first
ZENOVO LTD · UK · £50,000 a year · Check first
Barclays · UK · £30,647 a year · Not for a new visa
From Appendix Skilled Occupations and the Temporary Shortage List (GOV.UK), the ONS SOC 2020 coding index, and job adverts we read and match to the Home Office register. We place an advert in a code from its title, so some adverts may be in the wrong code. Whether a person can be sponsored also depends on their own circumstances. This page is information, not immigration advice. Profile built 7 Oct 2026.
Programmers and software development professionals (SOC 2134) is an eligible occupation in Appendix Skilled Occupations, so jobs in it can be sponsored for a new Skilled Worker visa.
The going rate is £54,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week. A new Skilled Worker applicant must usually be paid at least £54,700: the general minimum of £41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher. Some people can be paid less, for example new entrants, where the minimum for this occupation is £38,300.
The ONS coding index files 164 job titles under 2134, including agentic ai engineer, ai automation engineer, ai chatbot developer, ai developer, ai engineer, ai fintech specialist, ai information engineer, ai knowledge engineer. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.
Since October 2025 we read 22 adverts that we placed in SOC 2134, from 7 employers on the register. The most came from eFinancialCareers Ltd (1), Randstad UK Holding Ltd (1), Mortgage Advice Bureau Limited (1).
The median advertised salary was £53,595 across 19 adverts that gave one. 9 of them were at or above the £54,700 going rate.
Barclays · UK · £30,672 a year · Not for a new visa