3224 Counsellors

In short

• ONS unit group 3224, in minor group 322 (Welfare and housing associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £26,200 (£13.44 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Counsellors provide counselling services to clients with a wide variety of problems by means of assisting them to reach their own resolutions to the difficulties they face. Counsellors may specialise in a particular area or client group or address a wide range of issues.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal qualifications requirements for entry but relevant experience is necessary. Many employers will expect entrants to have achieved or be working towards accreditation with a professional body via certification or a diploma in counselling. Background checks including a DBS check are likely to be required for counsellors working with vulnerable adults and/or families.

Tasks

• meets clients face-to-face, working either one-to-one or with couples or families, or by telephone or internet
• encourages clients to discuss their feelings in relation to their problems, aiming to ensure that an understanding of the issues is achieved
• presents different perspectives to the problem areas identified
• refers to other appropriate sources of help
• keeps accurate and confidential records

Related job titles

• Counsellor (welfare services)
• Debt adviser
• Drugs and alcohol worker
• Life coach
• Stop smoking counsellor

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 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3224 Counsellors

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Bereavement counsellors
• Debt advisers
• Life coaches
• Relationship counsellors
• Substance misuse workers
• Counsellors not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3224 Counsellors

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3235, 3239

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Bereavement counsellors
• Debt advisers
• Life coaches
• Relationship counsellors
• Substance misuse workers
• Counsellors not elsewhere classified

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

£26,200 (£13.44 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

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

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 322

• 3221 Youth and community workers
• 3222 Child and early years officers
• 3223 Housing officers
• 3229 Welfare and housing associate 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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