SOC 2020 code 8229 · Process, plant and machine operatives

Mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified

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.

Skilled Worker rules for SOC 8229

Not eligible

Mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified (SOC 8229) is not an eligible occupation for the Skilled Worker visa, so it cannot be sponsored on that route.

Going rate: None
Major group: 8

Annual salaries for a 37.5-hour week, from Appendix Skilled Occupations (updated 3 Aug 2026).

Appendix Skilled Occupations gives no going rate for this occupation.

Sources: Appendix Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker salary rules, when you can be paid less.

Job titles under SOC 8229

The ONS coding index files 141 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.

360 operator
Agricultural machinist
Agricultural sprayer

Agricultural worker (agricultural contracting)

Attendant (agricultural machinery)

Builder's plant operator

Caterpillar operator

Chargeman (copper, zinc refining)

Charger (coke ovens)

Charger (mine: not coal)

Charger operator (rolling mill)

Coke car driver (gas ovens)

Concrete paving machinist

Concrete pump operator

Construction plant operative

Constructional plant operator

Crop spraying contractor

Deck officer (dredging contractors)

Driver (agricultural machinery)

Driver (building construction)

Driver (mine: not coal: above ground)

Driver-mechanic (agricultural machinery)

Drum feeder (agricultural machinery)

Dumper (mine: not coal)

Engine driver (agriculture)

Excavator (building construction)

Excavator (steelworks)

Excavator driver's mate

Foreman (agricultural contracting)

Gearhead driver (coal mine)

Hammerman (pile driving)

Heavy plant operator

Leveller (asphalt spreading machine)

Loader driver (building construction)

Machine driver (agriculture)

Machine driver (civil engineering)

Machine driver (gas works)

Machinist (building construction)

Machinist (coal mine: opencast)

Machinist (railways: civil engineer's dept)

Mechanical road sweeper

Mechanical road sweeper driver

Mechanical tool driver

Mobile plant operator

Operator (agricultural machinery)

Operator (construction machinery)

Operator telehandler

Owner-driver (plant hire)

Piling foreman (civil engineering)

Plant driver (building construction)

Plant foreman (building construction)

Plant machine operator

Plant operator (building construction)

Plant operator (opencast mining)

Plate man (asphalt spreading)

Pneumatic drill operator

Rail levelling machinist

Retort charger (gas works)

Screwman (asphalt spreading)

Sprayer (agricultural contracting)

Spreading machine driver (asphalt, concrete)

Stoking machine driver

Topman (pile driving)

Tracklaying machinist

Tractor driver (agriculture)

Tractor driver (building construction)

Tractor driver (coal mine: opencast)

Tractor driver (local government)

Tractor driver (manufacturing)

Tractor driver (mining)

Tractorman (agriculture)

Sponsors advertising mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified jobs

We have not read an advert we could place in this code since October 2025. We read visa sponsorship adverts from Reed and Adzuna every 4 hours.

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.

Questions about SOC 8229

Can mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa?

Mobile machine drivers and operatives not elsewhere classified (SOC 8229) is not an eligible occupation for the Skilled Worker visa, so it cannot be sponsored on that route.

What is the going rate for SOC 8229?

Appendix Skilled Occupations gives no going rate for this occupation.

Which job titles come under SOC code 8229?

The ONS coding index files 141 job titles under 8229, including 360 operator, agricultural machinist, agricultural sprayer, agricultural worker, angle dozer driver, attendant, bobcat driver, bogie driver. The employer chooses the code on the certificate of sponsorship from the job's duties, not its title.