Skilled Worker visa salary for research and development (r&d) managers (SOC 2161)
Going rates from the GOV.UK table, last verified 29 May 2026. General thresholds checked 5 Sept 2026.
Salary floor for this code
£54,400 a year
The going rate for this occupation is above the general threshold, so the going rate sets the floor.
| Going rate (standard) | £54,400 a year |
|---|---|
| Going rate, published hourly figure | £27.90 an hour |
| Going rate (new entrant) | £38,100 a year |
| General threshold | £41,700 a year |
| Reduced general threshold (new entrants) | £33,400 a year |
| Lower band for new entrants in this code | £38,100 a year |
| On the Immigration Salary List | No |
Sources: GOV.UK going rates · GOV.UK salary requirements
What current research and development (r&d) managers adverts pay
Across 8 current listings for this code that state an annual salary, the median advertised figure is £55,600, and 4 advertise £54,400 or more. Ranges are counted at their lowest figure. 2 NHS pay-scale posts are left out: those are assessed against the NHS scale, not the general figure. See the current listings.
How the salary rule works
A Skilled Worker role must pay at least the higher of the going rate for its occupation code and the general threshold. The going rate comes from the Home Office table for the code; the general threshold is the same for every code. Lower figures apply in set cases, such as new entrants, and the job’s hours, the candidate’s circumstances and the other requirements all matter. These figures describe the code; they are not a decision about any person or offer. GOV.UK has the full rules.
More about research and development (r&d) managers
Salaries for related occupations
- Other researchers, unspecified disciplineSOC 2162 · floor £43,600
- Environment professionalsSOC 2152 · floor £41,700
- Conservation professionalsSOC 2151 · floor £41,700
- Graphic and multimedia designersSOC 2142 · floor £41,700
- Web design professionalsSOC 2141 · floor £43,800
- Information technology professionals not elsewhere classifiedSOC 2139 · floor £52,300