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: Dec. 15, 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 | 13402 jobs Machine Learning | 12066 jobs Statistics | 11414 jobs SQL | 9905 jobs Engineering | 9484 jobs Computer Science | 7718 jobs R | 7165 jobs Mathematics | 6840 jobs Research | 6400 jobs ML models | 4840 jobs Data analysis | 4830 jobs Testing | 4079 jobs AWS | 3975 jobs Deep Learning | 3398 jobs Pipelines | 3254 jobs Spark | 3177 jobs Data visualization | 3146 jobs NLP | 3127 jobs PhD | 2952 jobs Big Data | 2933 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 | 11444 jobs Health care | 5931 jobs Equity / stock options | 4182 jobs Flex hours | 3834 jobs Startup environment | 3365 jobs Competitive pay | 3202 jobs Salary bonus | 2999 jobs Insurance | 2836 jobs Team events | 2525 jobs Medical leave | 2450 jobs Parental leave | 2412 jobs Flex vacation | 2346 jobs Wellness | 1637 jobs 401(k) matching | 1429 jobs Conferences | 748 jobs Flexible spending account | 559 jobs Fitness / gym | 548 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 540 jobs Relocation support | 504 jobs Home office stipend | 479 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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