Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Scientist in United Kingdom during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Scientist salary lies between USD 120,250 and USD 177,000 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 Senior-level / Expert Data Scientist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert 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 | 2586 jobs Machine Learning | 2319 jobs Statistics | 2213 jobs SQL | 2077 jobs Engineering | 1924 jobs Computer Science | 1387 jobs R | 1287 jobs Mathematics | 1284 jobs Research | 1226 jobs ML models | 947 jobs Testing | 761 jobs Spark | 696 jobs Data analysis | 680 jobs Tableau | 658 jobs AWS | 646 jobs Deep Learning | 604 jobs PhD | 588 jobs Big Data | 567 jobs Pipelines | 564 jobs Economics | 559 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Data Scientist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert 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 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 2154 jobs Health care | 1045 jobs Equity / stock options | 815 jobs Startup environment | 798 jobs Flex hours | 776 jobs Competitive pay | 694 jobs Team events | 671 jobs Flex vacation | 653 jobs Salary bonus | 563 jobs Parental leave | 552 jobs Insurance | 533 jobs Medical leave | 381 jobs Wellness | 369 jobs 401(k) matching | 329 jobs Home office stipend | 260 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 229 jobs Conferences | 144 jobs Fitness / gym | 119 jobs Relocation support | 96 jobs Gear | 91 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert 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 annual amount and usually constitutes the largest portion of the total compensation. In tech hubs like London, the base salary might be higher compared to other regions due to the cost of living and demand for talent.

• Bonus: Bonuses can be performance-based or company-wide and are often tied to individual, team, or company performance metrics. In industries like finance or tech, bonuses can be substantial, sometimes ranging from 10% to 30% of the base salary.

• Additional Remuneration: This includes stock options, equity, or other long-term incentives, which are more common in tech startups or large tech companies. 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 a Senior-level Data Scientist position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in high-demand areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, or AI ethics. Specializing can make you more valuable and open up higher-paying opportunities.

• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Data Science Manager or Director of Data Science, which typically offer higher salaries.

• Industry Shift: Consider moving to industries known for higher compensation, such as finance, healthcare, or tech giants.

• Networking and Visibility: Engage in speaking at conferences, publishing papers, or contributing to open-source projects to increase your visibility and attract lucrative offers.

Educational Requirements

For a Senior-level Data Scientist role, the most common educational requirements include:

• Advanced Degrees: A Master's degree in fields like Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field is often required. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles involving research or advanced algorithm development.

• Relevant Coursework: Courses in machine learning, data mining, statistical analysis, and programming are essential.

Helpful Certificates

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

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS): Offered by various institutions, this certification covers essential data science skills and methodologies.

• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty: Useful if you work with AWS technologies, this certification validates your ability to design, implement, and maintain machine learning solutions.

• Google Professional Data Engineer: This certification is beneficial if you work with Google Cloud Platform, focusing on data processing systems and machine learning models.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Data Scientist is expected to have:

• 5-10 Years of Experience: In data science or related fields, with a proven track record of handling complex data projects.

• Project Leadership: Experience leading data science projects from conception to deployment, including mentoring junior team members.

• Domain Expertise: Experience in a specific industry can be advantageous, as it allows for more tailored and impactful data solutions.

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