2122 Mechanical engineers (professional)

In short

• ONS unit group 2122, in minor group 212 (Engineering professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £46,800 (£24.00 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £38,400 (£19.69 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Professional mechanical engineers undertake research, design and development, direct the manufacture and manage the operation and maintenance of engines, machines, vehicle and ships’ structures, building services and other mechanical items.

Typical entry routes

Professional mechanical engineers usually possess an accredited university degree. After qualifying, periods of appropriate training and experience are required before membership of a chartered engineering institution is attainable. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 4, followed by periods of training and relevant experience.

Tasks

• undertakes research and advises on energy use, materials handling, thermodynamic processes, fluid mechanics, vehicles and environmental controls
• determines materials, equipment, piping, capacities, layout of plant or system and specification for manufacture
• designs and develops mechanical equipment, such as steam, internal combustion and other non-electrical motors for railway locomotives, road vehicles and other machinery
• ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards
• organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems

Related job titles

• Automotive engineer (professional)
• Design engineer (mechanical)
• Marine engineer (professional)
• Mechanical engineer (professional)

ONS note: Unit group title was Mechanical engineers (version V13).

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2122 Mechanical engineers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Automotive engineers (professional)
• Marine engineers and naval architects
• Mechanical design engineers
• Mechanical engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£46,800 (£24.00 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£42,100 (£21.59 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£37,400 (£19.18 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2122 Mechanical engineers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2122, 2126

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Automotive engineers (professional)
• Marine engineers and naval architects
• Mechanical design engineers
• Mechanical engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£38,400 (£19.69 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£34,600 (£17.74 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£30,700 (£15.74 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£26,900 (£13.79 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 212

• 2121 Civil engineers
• 2123 Electrical engineers
• 2124 Electronics engineers (professional)
• 2125 Production and process engineers
• 2126 Aerospace engineers
• 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers
• 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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