SOC code 3111: Laboratory technicians
You can sponsor a new worker in SOC code 3111 (Laboratory technicians) only while the code is on the temporary shortage list, and only with a certificate of sponsorship assigned before 31 December 2026. The lowest salary is £41,700 a year for a 37.5-hour week.
- New hire on a Skilled Worker visaYes, if listedcertificate assigned before 31 December 2026
- Lowest salary£41,700a year on 37.5 hours; £33,400 for the salary list jobs
- ListBoth listsany job in the code
- Skills charge£480 or £1,320a year per worker, small or charity / medium or large
Figures from Appendix Skilled Occupations, Immigration Rules.
Who you can sponsor in SOC code 3111
This is a job below degree level (RQF 3 to 5). Since 22 July 2025 such jobs can only be sponsored for new hires while they appear on a list: here, the temporary shortage list and the immigration salary list.
The salary list entry lowers the floor to £33,400 for jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally; every other listed job in the code needs £41,700.
After 31 December 2026 a certificate can no longer be assigned on the list. Workers you already sponsor in this code can still extend with you.
SOC code 3111 in the official tables
| As published | Shortage or salary list only: While listed; otherwise only workers with permission from before 22 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Skill level | RQF 3 to 5 |
| Going rate | £33,400 a year (37.5 hours a week) |
| New entrant rate (70%) | £33,400 |
| Immigration salary list | Listed until 31 December 2026: only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally |
| Temporary shortage list | Listed until 31 December 2026 |
| Health and Care Worker visa | Yes |
Lowest salary for other weekly hours
| Hours a week | Lowest salary |
|---|---|
| 20 | £41,700 |
| 30 | £41,700 |
| 37.5 (the standard week) | £41,700 |
| 40 | £41,700 |
| 48 | £42,752 |
Home Office fees for one hire under 3111
| Your business | Licence fee, once | One worker, 3 years | One worker, 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, or a charity | £611 | £1,965 | £2,925 |
| Medium or large | £1,682 | £4,485 | £7,125 |
Job titles in SOC code 3111
- Biological laboratory technicians
- Chemical laboratory technicians
- Health physics monitors
- Laboratory food technicians
- Medical laboratory technicians
- Laboratory technicians not elsewhere classified
The duties decide the code, not the title alone. When a title could fit two codes, the CASCOT coding tool helps you pick.
Codes close to this one
- 3112Electrical and electronics technicians£39,300 going rate
- 3113Engineering technicians£42,500 going rate
- 3114Building and civil engineering technicians£33,400 going rate
- 3115Quality assurance technicians£33,400 going rate
- 3116Planning, process and production technicians£34,800 going rate
- 3119Science, engineering and production technicians not elsewhere classified£34,600 going rate
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