5434 Chefs

In short

• ONS unit group 5434, in minor group 543 (Food preparation and hospitality trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades 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): £25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Chefs plan menus and prepare, or oversee the preparation of food in hotels, restaurants, clubs, private households and other establishments.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic requirements. Training is provided Off and on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs, BTEC Certificates and Diplomas and foundation degrees are available. Apprenticeships are also available. Courses are also run by private cookery schools.

Tasks

• requisitions or purchases and examines foodstuffs from suppliers to ensure quality
• plans menus, prepares, seasons and cooks foodstuffs or oversees their preparation and monitors the quality of finished dishes
• supervises, organises and instructs kitchen staff and manages the whole kitchen or an area of the kitchen
• ensures relevant hygiene and health and safety standards are maintained within the kitchen
• plans and co-ordinates kitchen work such as fetching, clearing and cleaning of equipment and utensils

Related job titles

• Chef
• Chef-manager
• Food stylist
• Head chef
• Pastry chef

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

5434 Chefs

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Chefs

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

5434 Chefs

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5434

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Chefs

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

£25,000 (£12.82 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 543

• 5431 Butchers
• 5432 Bakers and flour confectioners
• 5433 Fishmongers and poultry dressers
• 5435 Cooks
• 5436 Catering and bar managers

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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