Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Scientist in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Scientist salary lies between USD 61,250 and USD 100,000 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 7383 jobs Machine Learning | 6879 jobs Statistics | 6485 jobs Engineering | 5595 jobs SQL | 5448 jobs Computer Science | 4269 jobs Mathematics | 3903 jobs R | 3757 jobs Research | 3682 jobs ML models | 3009 jobs Data analysis | 2537 jobs Testing | 2419 jobs AWS | 2411 jobs Deep Learning | 2176 jobs PhD | 1977 jobs Pipelines | 1962 jobs Spark | 1923 jobs NLP | 1833 jobs TensorFlow | 1724 jobs Data visualization | 1680 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 6634 jobs Health care | 3406 jobs Equity / stock options | 2658 jobs Startup environment | 2233 jobs Flex hours | 2145 jobs Salary bonus | 1998 jobs Competitive pay | 1959 jobs Insurance | 1699 jobs Parental leave | 1483 jobs Team events | 1467 jobs Medical leave | 1415 jobs Flex vacation | 1392 jobs Wellness | 899 jobs 401(k) matching | 793 jobs Conferences | 464 jobs Fitness / gym | 337 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 336 jobs Home office stipend | 333 jobs Flexible spending account | 309 jobs Transparency | 268 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior-Level Data Scientists in the UK

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Data Scientist in the UK typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the most significant portion, often accounting for 70-85% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually make up 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and other benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and professional development allowances. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech companies in London might offer higher base salaries and stock options, while companies in other regions might focus more on bonuses and benefits.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior-Level Position

To increase your salary from a Senior-level Data 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 and can command higher salaries.
• Leadership and Management Skills: Transitioning into roles that combine technical expertise with leadership, such as a Data Science Manager or Director, can significantly boost your earning potential.
• Continuous Learning and Certification: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in data science. Advanced certifications or courses in AI/ML can enhance your profile.
• Networking and Professional Visibility: Engage with professional communities, attend conferences, and publish your work to increase your visibility and open up higher-paying opportunities.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher compensation during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements for Senior-Level Data Scientists

Most Senior-level Data Scientist roles require at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or Data Science. A Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that involve research or advanced algorithm development. Employers often look for candidates with a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and programming.

Helpful Certifications for Data Scientists

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate expertise. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can help validate your skills and make you stand out in a competitive job market.

Experience Required for Senior-Level Data Scientists

Typically, a Senior-level Data Scientist is expected to have 5-10 years of experience in data science or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with data analysis, machine learning model development, and deployment. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior data scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued.

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