UKSponsorGrader

Water and sewerage plant operatives

SOC 8134 · Process, Plant and Machine Operatives

Skilled Worker Eligible — Minimum salary: £38,000.00/yr (£19.49/hr)

Salary vs Visa Threshold

Market median meets the going rate. Most job offers in this occupation should qualify.
25th Percentile £28,849.00
Median Salary £39,057.00
75th Percentile £45,809.00
Going Rate (standard) £38,000.00
Market Median £39,057.00

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 Water and sewerage plant operatives on a Skilled Worker visa?
The going rate for Water and sewerage plant operatives (SOC 8134) is £38,000.00 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 Water and sewerage plant operatives 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: Water and sewerage plant operatives salary details