2126 Aerospace engineers

In short

• ONS unit group 2126, 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): £52,400 (£26.87 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £43,400 (£22.26 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Aerospace engineers research develop and design aircraft, spacecraft and their components.

Typical entry routes

Job holders in this unit group usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field. Qualified aircraft engineers need a licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority or equivalent.

Tasks

• conceives and develops engineering designs from product ideas in aerospace engineering
• organises and plans projects, arranges work schedules, carries out inspection work and plans maintenance control
• analyses test data; undertakes research and advises on all aspects of aircraft, spacecraft and their systems
• ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards
• inspects completed aircraft maintenance work to certify that it meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation

Related job titles

• Aeronautical engineer (professional)
• Aerospace engineer (professional)
• Aircraft designer
• Avionics engineer

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

2126 Aerospace engineers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Aeronautical engineers (professional)
• Aircraft engineers (professional)
• Avionics engineers
• Aerospace engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£52,400 (£26.87 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£47,200 (£24.21 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£41,900 (£21.49 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£36,700 (£18.82 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

2126 Aerospace engineers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2122, 2124, 2126, 2129, 5223

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Aeronautical engineers (professional)
• Aircraft engineers (professional)
• Avionics engineers
• Aerospace engineers not elsewhere classified

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

£43,400 (£22.26 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£39,000 (£20.00 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£34,700 (£17.79 per hour)

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

£30,400 (£15.59 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 212

• 2121 Civil engineers
• 2122 Mechanical engineers (professional)
• 2123 Electrical engineers
• 2124 Electronics engineers (professional)
• 2125 Production and process 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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