SOC 2020 code 2161 · 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
Research and development (R&D) managers (SOC 2161) 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 £54,400 a year for a 37.5-hour week. A new Skilled Worker applicant must usually be paid at least £54,400: 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 £38,100.
Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.
The ONS coding index files 51 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 4 adverts that we placed in this code from the job title, 4 of them still open, from 2 employers on the register of licensed sponsors.
Open adverts checked against the employer, occupation and salary rules for a new visa:
Kier Group plc · Prior Fen, Ely · £75,262 a year · Check first
Kier Group plc · Eynesbury, St. Neots · £56,806 a year · Check first
Kier Group plc · Burton End, Stansted · £75,744 a year · Meets the rules
McCormick (UK) Ltd · Haddenham · Check first
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.
Research and development (R&D) managers (SOC 2161) 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 £54,400 a year for a 37.5-hour week. A new Skilled Worker applicant must usually be paid at least £54,400: 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 £38,100.
The ONS coding index files 51 job titles under 2161, including analytics manager, clinical study manager, clinical trial manager, clinical trials manager, consumer insights manager, creative manager, design manager, development manager. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.
Since October 2025 we read 4 adverts that we placed in SOC 2161, from 2 employers on the register. The most came from Kier Group plc (3), McCormick (UK) Ltd (1).