Machine Learning Scientist Salary in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average Machine Learning Scientist salary lies between USD 60,000 and USD 168,750 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: Feb. 2, 2025

Top 20 Job Tags for Machine Learning Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Machine Learning Scientist job listings are Machine Learning, Python and Engineering. 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:

Machine Learning | 412 jobs Python | 342 jobs Engineering | 284 jobs Computer Science | 268 jobs Research | 250 jobs Statistics | 240 jobs ML models | 231 jobs PyTorch | 225 jobs Deep Learning | 223 jobs PhD | 193 jobs SQL | 184 jobs TensorFlow | 183 jobs Mathematics | 157 jobs NLP | 131 jobs LLMs | 119 jobs AWS | 117 jobs Security | 110 jobs Testing | 108 jobs Architecture | 106 jobs Pipelines | 105 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Machine Learning Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Machine Learning Scientist job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. 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 | 368 jobs Health care | 237 jobs Flex hours | 136 jobs Equity / stock options | 132 jobs Insurance | 125 jobs Wellness | 123 jobs Parental leave | 107 jobs Salary bonus | 107 jobs Competitive pay | 99 jobs Flex vacation | 98 jobs Startup environment | 97 jobs Conferences | 90 jobs Team events | 87 jobs Medical leave | 81 jobs 401(k) matching | 53 jobs Home office stipend | 32 jobs Relocation support | 26 jobs Gear | 25 jobs Travel | 22 jobs Fitness / gym | 22 jobs

Salary Composition for Machine Learning Scientists in the UK

The salary for a Machine Learning Scientist in the UK typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The base salary is the fixed component and usually forms the largest part of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company's success and individual performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and other benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development allowances.

The composition can vary based on several factors:

• Region: Salaries in London and other major tech hubs tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for talent.
• Industry: Tech companies, especially those in AI and data-driven sectors, often offer higher salaries and more substantial bonuses compared to traditional industries.
• Company Size: Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits and stock options, while startups might provide equity as a significant part of the compensation package.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Machine Learning Scientist Position

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

• Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on niche areas within AI/ML, such as deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision, which are in high demand.
• Pursue Advanced Education: Obtaining a Ph.D. or additional certifications can make you more competitive and justify a higher salary.
• Gain Leadership Experience: Transitioning into roles that involve leading teams or projects can significantly increase your earning potential.
• Negotiate Effectively: Develop strong negotiation skills to advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.
• Expand Your Network: Engage with industry professionals through conferences, workshops, and online platforms to learn about higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements for Machine Learning Scientists

Most Machine Learning Scientist positions require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or statistics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-intensive roles or positions at leading tech companies. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, probability, and statistics, as well as practical experience with machine learning frameworks and tools.

Helpful Certifications for Machine Learning Scientists

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

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

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

Experience Required for Machine Learning Scientists

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 2-5 years of experience in machine learning or data science roles. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and programming in languages such as Python or R. Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms is also highly valued. For senior roles, more extensive experience, including project management and team leadership, may be required.

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