SOC 2020 code 2461 · 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
Social workers (SOC 2461) 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).
For this occupation the minimum salary is set by the national pay scale, such as NHS Agenda for Change bands or teachers’ pay scales, not by a going rate.
Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.
The ONS coding index files 35 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 CASCOT or the employer.
Since October 2025 we read 36 adverts that we placed in this code from the job title, 31 of them still open, from 3 employers on the register of licensed sponsors. The median advertised salary was £38,221 (36 adverts with a salary).
Open adverts checked against the employer, occupation and salary rules for a new visa:
Charles Hunter Associates · Exeter, Devon · £38,000 to £40,000 a year · Not for a new visa
Charles Hunter Associates · UK · £40,369 to £43,686 a year · Not for a new visa
Academics · Crawley · £181,350 to £204,750 a year (from an hourly rate) · Not for a new visa
Charles Hunter Associates · UK · £35,858 to £43,858 a year · Not for a new visa
Charles Hunter Associates · Exeter, Devon · £38,000 to £40,000 a year · Not for a new visa
Charles Hunter Associates · Chorley, Lancashire · £40,000 a year · Not for a new visa
Charles Hunter Associates · Birmingham, West Midlands · £35,146 to £41,736 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.
Social workers (SOC 2461) is an eligible occupation in Appendix Skilled Occupations, so jobs in it can be sponsored for a new Skilled Worker visa.
For this occupation the minimum salary is set by the national pay scale, such as NHS Agenda for Change bands or teachers’ pay scales, not by a going rate.
The ONS coding index files 35 job titles under 2461, including adoption social worker, adult protection coordinator, adult social worker, advanced practitioner, almoner, criminal justice social worker, education social worker, family case worker. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.
Since October 2025 we read 36 adverts that we placed in SOC 2461, from 3 employers on the register. The most came from Wiltshire Council (3), North Lanarkshire Council (2), Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (1).
The median advertised salary was £38,221 across 36 adverts that gave one.
Academics · South Croydon · £181,350 to £204,750 a year (from an hourly rate) · Not for a new visa