2251 Pharmacists
Unit group 2251 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.
In short
- ONS unit group 2251, in minor group 225 (Other health 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
Pharmacists dispense drugs and medicaments in hospitals and pharmacies and advise on and participate in the development and testing of new drugs, compounds and therapies. They counsel on the proper use and adverse effects of drugs and medicines.
Typical entry routes
Entrants possess a degree in pharmacy. To register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), entrants must have completed a one year period of pre-registration training and passed a registration exam. Further training is available to permit pharmacists to prescribe medicines independently.
Tasks
- prepares or directs the preparation of prescribed medicaments in liquid, powder, tablet, ointment or other form following prescriptions issued by medical doctors and other health professionals
- advises health professionals on the selection and appropriate use of medicines
- highlights a drug’s potential side effects, identifies harmful interactions with other drugs and assesses the suitability of treatments for patients with particular health conditions
- checks that recommended doses are not being exceeded and that instructions are understood by patients
- maintains prescription files and records issue of narcotics, poisons and other habit-forming drugs
- liaises with other professionals regarding the development, manufacturing and testing of drugs
- tests and analyses drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength
- ensures that drugs and medicaments are in good supply and are stored properly
Related job titles
- Chemist (pharmaceutical)
- Dispensary manager
- Pharmaceutical chemist
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy manager
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
- 2251 Pharmacists
- Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)
- 2213
- Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)
- Chemist (pharmaceutical)
- Dispensary manager
- Pharmaceutical chemist
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy manager
- 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 225
- 2252 Optometrists
- 2253 Dental practitioners
- 2254 Medical radiographers
- 2255 Paramedics
- 2256 Podiatrists
- 2259 Other health 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.
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