2481 Quality control and planning engineers

In short

• ONS unit group 2481, in minor group 248 (Quality and regulatory 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): £41,300 (£21.18 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £34,100 (£17.49 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Quality control and planning engineers plan production schedules, work sequences, and manufacturing and processing procedures to ensure accuracy, quality and reliability.

Typical entry routes

Quality control and planning 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 achieved. Incorporated engineers possess an accredited university degree, BTEC/SQA award or an apprenticeship leading to an NVQ/SVQ at level 4. All routes are followed by periods of appropriate training and relevant experience.

Tasks

• devises inspection, testing and evaluation methods for bought-in materials, components, semi-finished and finished products
• ensures accuracy of machines, jigs, fixtures, gauges and other manufacturing and testing equipment
• prepares work flow charts for individual departments and compiles detailed instructions on processes, work methods and quality and safety standards for workers
• analyses plans, drawings, specifications and safety, quality, accuracy, reliability and contractual requirements
• prepares plan of sequence of operations and completion dates for each phase of production or processing
• oversees effective implementation of adopted processes, schedules and procedures

Related job titles

• Planning engineer
• Quality assurance engineer
• Quality control officer (professional)
• Quality 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

2481 Quality control and planning engineers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Garment technologists
• Planning engineers
• Quality control engineers
• Quality control and planning engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£41,300 (£21.18 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£37,100 (£19.03 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£33,400 (£17.13 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

2481 Quality control and planning engineers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2461, 3115

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Garment technologists
• Planning engineers
• Quality control engineers
• Quality control and planning engineers not elsewhere classified

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

£34,100 (£17.49 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£30,700 (£15.74 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£27,300 (£14.00 per hour)

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

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 248

• 2482 Quality assurance and regulatory professionals
• 2483 Environmental health professionals

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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