SOC 2020 code 3111 · Associate 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.
Temporary Shortage List
Laboratory technicians (SOC 3111) is on the Temporary Shortage List, so jobs in it can be sponsored for a new Skilled Worker visa, including switching and applying from outside the UK.
Annual salaries for a 37.5-hour week, from Appendix Skilled Occupations (updated 3 Aug 2026).
The going rate is £33,400 a year for a 37.5-hour week. For a job on the Temporary Shortage List the minimum is £33,400 or the going rate, whichever is higher: £33,400.
Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Temporary Shortage List, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.
The ONS coding index files 70 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 5 adverts that we placed in this code from the job title, 5 of them still open, from 2 employers on the register of licensed sponsors. The median advertised salary was £25,760 (5 adverts with a salary), and 0 were at or above the £33,400 going rate.
Open adverts checked against the employer, occupation and salary rules for a new visa:
University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust · Trent Vale, Stoke-On-Trent · £25,760 to £27,476 a year · Not for a new visa
Zoetis UK Limited · Easton, Bristol · £24,432 a year · Not for a new visa
University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust · Trent Vale, Stoke-On-Trent · £25,760 to £27,476 a year · Not for a new visa
University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust · Leighton, Crewe · £25,272 a year · Not for a new visa
University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust · Trent Vale, Stoke-On-Trent · £25,760 to £27,476 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.
Laboratory technicians (SOC 3111) is on the Temporary Shortage List, so jobs in it can be sponsored for a new Skilled Worker visa, including switching and applying from outside the UK.
The going rate is £33,400 a year for a 37.5-hour week. For a job on the Temporary Shortage List the minimum is £33,400 or the going rate, whichever is higher: £33,400.
The ONS coding index files 70 job titles under 3111, including analytical technician, anatomy technician, assistant scientific officer, assistant scientist, assistant technical officer, associate practitioner, biomedical assistant, biomedical support worker. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.
Since October 2025 we read 5 adverts that we placed in SOC 3111, from 2 employers on the register. The most came from University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust (4), Zoetis UK Limited (1).
The median advertised salary was £25,760 across 5 adverts that gave one. 0 of them were at or above the £33,400 going rate.