Backend Engineer Salary in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average Backend Engineer salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 206,250 in the United Kingdom. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Backend Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Backend Engineer job listings are Python, Engineering and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 391 jobs Engineering | 371 jobs Machine Learning | 345 jobs AWS | 246 jobs APIs | 246 jobs Computer Science | 240 jobs Architecture | 235 jobs Kubernetes | 217 jobs Docker | 188 jobs Java | 185 jobs Pipelines | 174 jobs Security | 155 jobs PostgreSQL | 154 jobs Testing | 151 jobs Research | 137 jobs GCP | 132 jobs Kafka | 115 jobs LLMs | 114 jobs Agile | 109 jobs Privacy | 109 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Backend Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Backend Engineer job listings are Career development, Startup environment and Health care. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 355 jobs Startup environment | 175 jobs Health care | 162 jobs Equity / stock options | 157 jobs Flex hours | 136 jobs Competitive pay | 124 jobs Flex vacation | 95 jobs Parental leave | 88 jobs Team events | 79 jobs Salary bonus | 71 jobs Insurance | 67 jobs Medical leave | 61 jobs Home office stipend | 49 jobs Wellness | 37 jobs 401(k) matching | 30 jobs Gear | 28 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 26 jobs Transparency | 23 jobs Relocation support | 14 jobs Fitness / gym | 12 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Backend Engineer specializing in AI/ML/Data Science can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and company size. Typically, the salary package is divided into three main components:

• Base Salary: This is the fixed annual amount and usually constitutes the largest portion of the total compensation. In tech hubs like London, the base salary tends to be higher compared to other regions.

• Bonus: Bonuses can be performance-based or company-wide and are often paid annually. They can range from 10% to 20% of the base salary, depending on the company's profitability and individual performance.

• Additional Remuneration: This includes stock options, equity, or other long-term incentives, which are more common in larger tech companies or startups. Benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and other perks also form part of the total compensation package.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies and tools relevant to AI/ML and backend development. Specializing in niche areas can make you more valuable.

• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's degree or Ph.D. in a related field can open up higher-paying opportunities.

• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into roles such as a Technical Lead or Engineering Manager can significantly boost your earning potential.

• Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to opportunities in higher-paying companies or roles.

Educational Requirements

Most positions for a Backend Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles involving complex data science tasks or AI model development.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile:

• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications demonstrate your expertise in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with 3-5 years of experience in backend development, with a focus on AI/ML projects. Experience with cloud platforms, data processing frameworks, and machine learning libraries is often required. Additionally, experience in deploying machine learning models and working with large datasets is highly valued.

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