UKSponsorGrader

IT quality and testing professionals

SOC 2136 · Professional Occupations

Skilled Worker Eligible — Minimum salary: £41,200.00/yr (£21.13/hr)

Salary vs Visa Threshold

Market median meets the going rate. Most job offers in this occupation should qualify.
10th Percentile £28,964.00
25th Percentile £35,716.00
Median Salary £44,973.00
75th Percentile £55,000.00
Going Rate (standard) £41,200.00
Market Median £44,973.00

Top Cities for Sponsorship

Cities with the most Skilled Worker sponsors.

1
London
Sponsors
33,777
2
Birmingham
Sponsors
2,877
3
Manchester
Sponsors
2,705
4
Leicester
Sponsors
1,334
5
Glasgow
Sponsors
1,229
6
Bristol
Sponsors
1,187
7
Edinburgh
Sponsors
1,060
8
Leeds
Sponsors
1,013
9
Nottingham
Sponsors
982
10
Ilford
Sponsors
911

Skilled Worker Visa Trend

Latest data: 2025 Q4

Visas Granted 13,795
Refused 1,718
Approval Rate 84.34%
YoY Change -25.3%

View full Skilled Worker statistics →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for IT quality and testing professionals on a Skilled Worker visa?
The going rate for IT quality and testing professionals (SOC 2136) is £41,200.00 per year. The actual minimum you need is the higher of the going rate and the general salary threshold (£38,700 for most applicants).
How many UK employers sponsor IT quality and testing professionals roles?
There are currently 118,283 active UK employers licensed to sponsor Skilled Worker visas. Note: not all sponsors actively recruit for every SOC code — the count reflects total Skilled Worker licence holders.
Which UK cities have the most sponsorship opportunities?
The top cities by number of Skilled Worker sponsors are: London (33,777), Birmingham (2,877), Manchester (2,705), Leicester (1,334), Glasgow (1,229).

Also see: IT quality and testing professionals salary details