Data Scientist Salary in United Kingdom during 2023

Salary details

The average Data Scientist salary lies between USD 70,132 and USD 160,800 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

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Data Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Data Scientist job listings are Python, Machine Learning and Statistics. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 4066 jobs Machine Learning | 3600 jobs Statistics | 3281 jobs SQL | 3082 jobs Engineering | 2829 jobs Computer Science | 2162 jobs R | 2101 jobs Mathematics | 1963 jobs Research | 1870 jobs ML models | 1341 jobs Data analysis | 1121 jobs Testing | 1103 jobs Tableau | 985 jobs Spark | 982 jobs AWS | 965 jobs Big Data | 908 jobs Deep Learning | 897 jobs PhD | 837 jobs NLP | 824 jobs Pipelines | 809 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Data Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Data Scientist job listings are Career development, Health care and Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 3338 jobs Health care | 1592 jobs Startup environment | 1209 jobs Flex hours | 1202 jobs Equity / stock options | 1081 jobs Competitive pay | 1078 jobs Team events | 992 jobs Flex vacation | 924 jobs Insurance | 808 jobs Parental leave | 779 jobs Salary bonus | 767 jobs Medical leave | 566 jobs Wellness | 468 jobs 401(k) matching | 466 jobs Home office stipend | 326 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 308 jobs Conferences | 254 jobs Fitness / gym | 191 jobs Gear | 140 jobs Relocation support | 138 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Data Scientist 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 component of the salary and usually constitutes the largest portion. In London and other major cities, the base salary tends to be higher due to the increased cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.

• Bonus: Bonuses can be performance-based or company-wide and are often tied to the achievement of specific goals or company performance. In the finance and tech industries, bonuses can be a significant part of the total compensation package.

• Additional Remuneration: This may include stock options, profit-sharing, or other incentives. Larger tech companies and startups often offer stock options as part of their compensation packages to attract top talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Data Scientist position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize: Developing expertise in a niche area such as deep learning, natural language processing, or big data analytics can make you more valuable to employers.

• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a leadership or managerial role can lead to higher compensation. This might involve leading a team of data scientists or taking on project management responsibilities.

• Industry Switch: Some industries, like finance and pharmaceuticals, tend to offer higher salaries for data scientists. Moving to a high-paying industry can increase your earning potential.

• Continuous Learning: Staying updated with the latest tools and technologies in AI/ML can make you more competitive. Attending workshops, conferences, and pursuing further education can be beneficial.

Educational Requirements

Most Data Scientist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, or engineering. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or Ph.D., especially for more advanced roles. A strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and programming is essential.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your expertise:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): This certification is recognized globally and covers a broad range of analytics skills.

• Google Professional Data Engineer: This certification focuses on designing, building, and operationalizing data processing systems.

• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: This is ideal for those working with AWS services and focuses on building, training, and deploying ML models.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate: This certification is beneficial for those working with Azure services and involves applying data science techniques using Azure Machine Learning.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in data science or a related field. Experience with data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning algorithms is crucial. Additionally, hands-on experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Hadoop, is often required.

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