2221 Physiotherapists

In short

• ONS unit group 2221, in minor group 222 (Therapy 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 3.
• Going rate as the table prints it:
  • Table 3: a national pay scale, set out in the table below.

What the ONS says

Description

Physiotherapists plan and apply massage, promote and encourage movement and exercise, use hydrotherapy, electro-therapy and other technological equipment in the treatment of a wide range of injuries, diseases and disabilities in order to assist rehabilitation by developing and restoring body systems.

Typical entry routes

Entry is most common with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades followed by up to four years training on an approved degree scheme necessary for state registration as a physiotherapist. Some science and other graduates are eligible for accelerated two year pre-registration MSc degree programmes in Physiotherapy or Rehabilitation Science. Relevant apprenticeships are available.

Tasks

• examines medical reports and assesses patient to determine the condition of muscles, nerves or joints in need of treatment
• writes up patients’ case notes and reports, maintains their records and manages caseload
• plans and undertakes therapy to improve circulation, restore joint mobility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain
• explains treatment to and instructs patient in posture and other exercises and adapts treatment as necessary
• offers advice and education on how to avoid injury and promote patient’s future health and well-being
• supervises physiotherapy assistants
• monitors patient’s progress and liaises with others concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of patient, and refers patients requiring other specific medical attention

Related job titles

• Electro-therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Physiotherapy practitioner

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

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

Table 3: Eligible health and education SOC 2020 occupation codes where going rates are based on national pay scales

SOC 2020 occupation code

2221 Physiotherapists

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2221

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Electro-therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Physiotherapy practitioner

Going rate (annual)

See relevant pay band in Table 4

Table 4: Going rates for listed healthcare SOC 2020 occupation codes by administration and band

Other unit groups in minor group 222

• 2222 Occupational therapists
• 2223 Speech and language therapists
• 2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
• 2225 Clinical psychologists
• 2226 Other psychologists
• 2229 Therapy 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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