SOC 2020 code 5223 · Skilled trades 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
Metal working production and maintenance fitters (SOC 5223) 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 £39,300 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: £39,300.
Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Temporary Shortage List, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.
The ONS coding index files 472 job titles under this code; the first 200 alphabetically are below. 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 11 adverts that we placed in this code from the job title, 10 of them still open, from 6 employers on the register of licensed sponsors. The median advertised salary was £42,194 (10 adverts with a salary), and 6 were at or above the £39,300 going rate.
Open adverts checked against the employer, occupation and salary rules for a new visa:
Exemplar Health Care · DN401JP · £27,300 a year (from an hourly rate) · Not for a new visa
Exemplar Health Care · Tinsley, Sheffield · £28,641 a year · Not for a new visa
Kier Group plc · UK · £59,548 a year · Check first
Exemplar Health Care · LE673LB · £27,300 a year (from an hourly rate) · Not for a new visa
Morgan McKinley · Worcestershire · £87,750 to £107,250 a year (from an hourly rate) · Not for a new visa
Adecco UK Limited · North London · Not for a new visa
Scotland's Rural College · Hatston, Kirkwall · £26,000 a year · Not for a new visa
Kier Group plc · Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire · £42,688 a year
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.
Metal working production and maintenance fitters (SOC 5223) 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 £39,300 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: £39,300.
The ONS coding index files 472 job titles under 5223, including adjuster, adjuster, agricultural engineer, agricultural fitter, agricultural mechanic, agricultural technician, air traffic engineer, aligner. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.
Since October 2025 we read 11 adverts that we placed in SOC 5223, from 6 employers on the register. The most came from Exemplar Health Care (3), WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS LTD (3), Kier Group plc (2).
The median advertised salary was £42,194 across 10 adverts that gave one. 6 of them were at or above the £39,300 going rate.