3511 Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

In short

• ONS unit group 3511, in minor group 351 (Transport associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate 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): £80,400 (£41.23 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £64,100 (£32.87 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers navigate and pilot aircraft, prepare flight plans, authorise flight departures and arrivals, maintain radio, radar and/or visual contact with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of air traffic, check, regulate, adjust and test engines and other equipment prior to take-off and give flying lessons.

Typical entry routes

Entrants with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, a BTEC/ SQA award or equivalent qualification can apply for an airline sponsorship. Private residential training as a pilot is available to candidates with GCSEs/S grades or appropriate BTEC/SQA or other certificates/diplomas or to holders of Private Pilots Licences who have 700 hours flying experience. Training lasts up to 15 months and consists of courses of study and flying instruction. Airlines may have additional age and height requirements. Air traffic controllers training lasts 74 weeks including study and practical experience. Entrants must be 18 to hold a Student Licence and 21 for a full air traffic controller licence awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority. Normal colour vision is required for pilots and air traffic controllers and candidates also undergo a medical examination.

Tasks

• studies flight plan and makes any necessary adjustments
• directs or undertakes checks on engines, instruments, control panels, cargo distribution, fuel supplies, aircraft's stability, response to controls and overall performance
• directs or undertakes the operation of controls to fly airplanes and helicopters, complying with air traffic control and aircraft operating procedures
• monitors fuel consumption, air pressure, engine performance and other indicators during flight and advises pilot of any factors that affect the navigation or performance of the aircraft
• maintains radio contact and discusses weather conditions with air traffic controllers
• directs the movement of aircraft and maintains radio and/or radar or visual contact en-route to its destination, in and out of controlled airspace or into holding areas ready for landing
• gives landing Instructions to pilot and monitors descent
• plans flight route, calculate fuel consumption and optimum flying height and obtains information on weather and other conditions, such as cargo distribution
• handles emergencies, unscheduled traffic and other unanticipated incidents
• accompanies pupil on training flights and demonstrates flying techniques

Related job titles

• Airline pilot
• Air traffic controller
• First officer (airlines)
• Flight engineer
• Flight planner
• Flying instructor
• Helicopter pilot

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

3511 Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Airline pilots
• Air traffic controllers
• Flying instructors
• Helicopter pilots
• Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£80,400 (£41.23 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)

£56,300 (£28.87 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

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

3511 Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3511, 3512

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Airline pilots
• Air traffic controllers
• Flying instructors
• Helicopter pilots
• Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers not elsewhere classified

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

£64,100 (£32.87 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)

£44,900 (£23.03 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 351

• 3512 Ship and hovercraft officers

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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