2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists: SOC 2020 occupation code

In short

ONS unit group 2224, 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

Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists use a variety of therapies in one-on-one or group settings to help people with mental health issues, stress, emotional and relationship problems.

Typical entry routes

Job holders in this unit group will usually possess a postgraduate qualification or equivalent accredited qualification. Training usually lasts 4 years. A DBS check may be required for work with vulnerable individuals or children.

Tasks

assesses and provides treatment for people suffering with mental illness, stress, and emotional and relationship problems
talks with patients about their emotions, relationships and personal history
analyses events, behaviour, and habits to understand their mode of thinking and feelings
helps people come up with new ways to cope with their problems and to change their ways of thinking

Related job titles

Cognitive behavioural therapist
Psycho-analyst
Psychological counsellor
Psychotherapist

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

2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2229, 3219, 3235

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

Cognitive behavioural therapist
Psycho-analyst
Psychological counsellor
Psychotherapist

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

Band or equivalent	England	Scotland	Wales	Northern Ireland
Band 3	£24,071	£26,869	£24,433	£22,816
Band 4	£26,530	£29,116	£26,928	£25,147
Band 5	£29,970	£31,892	£30,420	£28,407
Band 6	£37,338	£39,912	£37,898	£35,392
Band 7	£46,148	£48,788	£46,840	£43,742
Band 8a	£53,755	£60,126	£54,550	£50,952
Band 8b	£62,215	£70,986	£63,150	£58,972
Band 8c	£74,290	£83,837	£75,405	£70,417
Band 8d	£88,168	£99,534	£89,491	£83,571
Band 9	£105,385	£117,732	£106,967	£99,891

Other unit groups in minor group 222

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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