Data Scientist Salary in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average Data Scientist salary lies between USD 50,000 and USD 87,500 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: Nov. 17, 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 12096 jobs Machine Learning | 10867 jobs Statistics | 10255 jobs SQL | 8980 jobs Engineering | 8523 jobs Computer Science | 6890 jobs R | 6494 jobs Mathematics | 6182 jobs Research | 5731 jobs ML models | 4343 jobs Data analysis | 4319 jobs Testing | 3651 jobs AWS | 3606 jobs Deep Learning | 3072 jobs Pipelines | 2898 jobs Spark | 2880 jobs Data visualization | 2812 jobs NLP | 2802 jobs PhD | 2688 jobs Big Data | 2636 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 Equity / stock options. 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 | 10314 jobs Health care | 5413 jobs Equity / stock options | 3828 jobs Flex hours | 3516 jobs Startup environment | 3059 jobs Competitive pay | 2935 jobs Salary bonus | 2760 jobs Insurance | 2591 jobs Team events | 2284 jobs Medical leave | 2243 jobs Parental leave | 2216 jobs Flex vacation | 2159 jobs Wellness | 1487 jobs 401(k) matching | 1335 jobs Conferences | 659 jobs Flexible spending account | 529 jobs Fitness / gym | 505 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 488 jobs Relocation support | 457 jobs Home office stipend | 444 jobs

Salary Composition for Data Scientists in the UK

The salary composition for a Data Scientist in the UK typically includes a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and sometimes additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The fixed base salary is the most substantial part of the compensation package, often accounting for 70-80% of the total. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. In tech companies or startups, stock options or equity can also be a significant part of the package, especially in larger firms or those in high-growth sectors. The region also plays a role; for instance, salaries in London are generally higher due to the cost of living and the concentration of tech companies.

Steps to Increase Salary

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

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills, especially in emerging technologies like deep learning, natural language processing, or cloud computing.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open doors to higher-paying roles.
• Industry Specialization: Specializing in a high-demand industry such as finance, healthcare, or e-commerce can lead to better compensation.
• Leadership Roles: Transitioning into managerial or lead data scientist roles can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Networking: Building a strong professional network can lead to opportunities in higher-paying companies or roles.

Educational Requirements

Most Data Scientist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Engineering. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for more advanced positions. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and data analysis techniques, which are crucial for high-level data science tasks.

Helpful Certifications

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

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

Typically, entry-level data scientist positions require 1-3 years of experience in a related field. For mid-level roles, 3-5 years of experience is common, while senior positions may require 5-10 years. Experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning is crucial. Additionally, experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and familiarity with data visualization tools, is often required.

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