Animal Care · SOC 6129

Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers

Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers (SOC 6129) is a UK-wide 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 £25,000 per year instead of the standard going rate of £33,400.

Quick answer

Going rate (annual)
£33,400

£17.13 / hour

ISL salary floor (annual)
£25,000

£12.82 / hour

The reduced floor is about 25% below the going rate. Both assume a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.

Salary breakdown

OccupationRacing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers
SOC 2020 code6129
SectorAnimal Care
Geographic scopeUK-wide
Going rate (annual)£33,400
Going rate (hourly)£17.13
ISL salary floor (annual)£25,000
ISL salary floor (hourly)£12.82

What this means

Because Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers is on the Immigration Salary List, a UK employer with a sponsor licence can pay a sponsored worker the reduced floor of £25,000 per year rather than the £33,400 going rate, provided all other Skilled Worker route conditions are met. This applies anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

What is the visa salary for Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers in the UK?

Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers (SOC 6129) has a standard going rate of £33,400 per year (£17.13 per hour). Because the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List, an employer may sponsor a Skilled Worker at the reduced floor of £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour) — about 25% below the going rate. Both figures assume a 37.5-hour week.

Where does the Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers shortage role apply?

This occupation is on the Immigration Salary List UK-wide, so an eligible employer anywhere in the United Kingdom may use the reduced salary floor.

Does being a shortage occupation guarantee a Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers a UK visa?

No. The Immigration Salary List only sets a reduced salary floor for Racing grooms, stallion handlers and stud handlers. 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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