Science & Research · SOC 2111

Chemical scientists (nuclear industry)

Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) (SOC 2111) is a Scotland-only occupation on the UK Immigration Salary List, meaning an employer may sponsor an overseas worker on a Skilled Worker visa at a reduced salary floor of £31,300 per year instead of the standard going rate of £39,900.

Quick answer

Going rate (annual)
£39,900

£20.46 / hour

ISL salary floor (annual)
£31,300

£16.05 / hour

The reduced floor is about 22% below the going rate. Both assume a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.

Salary breakdown

OccupationChemical scientists (nuclear industry)
SOC 2020 code2111
SectorScience & Research
Geographic scopeScotland
Going rate (annual)£39,900
Going rate (hourly)£20.46
ISL salary floor (annual)£31,300
ISL salary floor (hourly)£16.05

What this means

Because Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) is on the Immigration Salary List, a UK employer with a sponsor licence can pay a sponsored worker the reduced floor of £31,300 per year rather than the £39,900 going rate, provided all other Skilled Worker route conditions are met. This reduced floor applies only to roles based in Scotland.

Frequently asked questions

What is the visa salary for Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) in the UK?

Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) (SOC 2111) has a standard going rate of £39,900 per year (£20.46 per hour). Because the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List, an employer may sponsor a Skilled Worker at the reduced floor of £31,300 per year (£16.05 per hour) — about 22% below the going rate. Both figures assume a 37.5-hour week.

Where does the Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) shortage role apply?

This occupation is restricted to Scotland only. An employer outside Scotland cannot use the reduced Immigration Salary List floor for this code.

Does being a shortage occupation guarantee a Chemical scientists (nuclear industry) a UK visa?

No. The Immigration Salary List only sets a reduced salary floor for Chemical scientists (nuclear industry). The applicant and sponsoring employer must still meet every other Skilled Worker requirement — a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, the required skill level, and English language — before a visa is granted.

Source: GOV.UK Home Office — Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list (Updated 11 November 2025), OGL v3.0. View the live GOV.UK page. Published by Home Office (GOV.UK) under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures last updated 11 November 2025. Page data verified 2026-06-27.

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