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Metal machining setters and setter-operators

Occupation · SOC 2020 5221 · United Kingdom

SOC 2020 code
5221
Going rate (Table 1, options A and D)
£34,600 (£17.74 per hour)
On the Immigration Salary List
No
Sponsored work visas 2025, minor group 522
224
Going rate£34,600 Table 1
Year by year
Data as at Immigration Rules, 11 Nov 2025
OC<GBRMETAL<MACHINING<SETTERS<AND<SETTER<OPE
52210<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Going rates

Minimum salaries by table of Appendix Skilled Occupations (per year, 37.5-hour week). Which table applies depends on the route and option.

TableGoing ratePhD points
Table 1a£34,600 (£17.74 per hour)No
Table 2aa£28,500 (£14.62 per hour)No

Example job titles (non-exclusive)

  • Computer numerical control (CNC) machine setters and setter-operators
  • Metal machining setters and setter-operators not elsewhere classified
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Immigration Salary List (GOV.UK)Data as at 11 Nov 2025

Sponsored work visas, minor group 522

Home Office grants for SOC 2020 minor group 522 (Metal Machining, Fitting and instrument Making Trades); unit-group detail is published only for part of the data.

Visas granted by year (minor group)

211421202120222023202420252026
211421202120222023202420252026
Data table
202166
2022194
2023421
2024331
2025224
202676
By route
  1. Skilled Worker1,299
  2. Government Authorised Exchange (previously Tier 5)13
By nationality, unit group 5221 (where published)
  1. India19
  2. Philippines7
  3. Pakistan4
  4. Zimbabwe3
  5. South Africa2
  6. Iran1
  7. Hungary1
  8. Greece1
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at Jun 2026

Compared with other occupations

The going rate for Metal machining setters and setter-operators (Table 1 where listed) is £28,500 a year, #170 highest of 277 eligible occupations and 5.0% below the median going rate of £30,000.

Going rate (Table 1 where listed)
£28,500
Median going rate, all occupations
£30,000
Rank (highest first)
170 of 277
Occupations on the Immigration Salary List
25
Going rate (Table 1), this and related occupations, £ a year
  1. Metal machining setters and setter-operators28,500
  2. Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out33,400
  3. Metal working production and maintenance fitters29,900
  4. Precision instrument makers and repairers28,300
  5. Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers35,500
  6. Sheet metal workers26,800
  7. Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations29,200
  8. Welding trades29,500
  9. Pipe fitters40,400
  10. Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians27,900
  11. Vehicle body builders and repairers27,600
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Immigration Salary List (GOV.UK)Data as at 11 Nov 2025

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more