3313 Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

In short

• ONS unit group 3313, in minor group 331 (Protective service occupations) 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): £42,100 (£21.59 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £37,600 (£19.28 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Fire service officers (watch manager and below) co-ordinate and participate in firefighting activities, provide emergency services in the event of accidents or bomb alerts, and advise on fire prevention.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic requirements, although applicants to fire control roles must demonstrate basic literacy and numeracy, keyboard and communication skills. Applicants to fire-fighter roles must pass psychological, physical and medical tests. Some Fire and Rescue Services operate direct entry recruitment processes to managerial operational roles. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years for entry to fire-fighter and control operator roles and DBS checks can be required.

Tasks

• inspects premises to identify potential fire hazards and to check that firefighting equipment is available and in working order and that statutory fire safety regulations are met
• arranges fire drills and tests alarm systems and equipment
• travels to fire or other emergency by vehicle and locates water mains if necessary
• operates hose pipes, ladders, chemical, foam, gas or powder fire extinguishing appliances
• rescues people or animals trapped by fire or other emergency situations such as flooding and administers first aid
• removes goods from fire damaged premises, clears excess water, makes safe any structural hazards and takes any other necessary steps to reduce damage to property
• attends and deals with bomb alerts and accidents involving spillage of hazardous substances
• advises on fire safety measures in new buildings
• supervises a watch

Related job titles

• Fire engineer
• Fire safety officer
• Firefighter
• Watch manager (fire service)

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

3313 Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Firefighters
• Fire service crew managers
• Watch managers
• Fire service officers (watch manager and below) not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£42,100 (£21.59 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

3313 Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

1173, 3313

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Firefighters
• Fire service crew managers
• Watch managers
• Fire service officers (watch manager and below) not elsewhere classified

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

£37,600 (£19.28 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)

£26,300 (£13.49 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 331

• 3311 Non-commissioned officers and other ranks
• 3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)
• 3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
• 3319 Protective service 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.

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