Salary guide · UK
Data Scientist Salary in UK
Quick answer
Data scientist salaries in the UK typically range from around £40,000 for juniors to £85,000 for seniors, with specialised and big-tech roles exceeding £100,000. Pay is driven by seniority, technical depth (especially ML), sector and London location.
Overview
Data science remains well paid, with strong demand in tech, finance and consulting. Machine-learning specialists and those who bridge analytics with product impact command the highest salaries.
Data Scientist salary bands
| Level | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior / Graduate | £35,000 – £48,000 | 0–2 years; strong SQL, Python and stats. |
| Mid-level | £50,000 – £70,000 | Owns analyses and experiments end to end. |
| Senior | £70,000 – £95,000 | Technical leadership and influence on decisions. |
| Lead / Specialist | £95,000 – £120,000+ | ML specialism or leadership; higher at big tech. |
Figures are indicative market ranges for guidance, not guarantees. Actual pay varies by employer, location and individual circumstances.
What drives pay
How to negotiate
- Benchmark by specialism — ML roles pay above general analytics.
- Quantify the business impact of your analyses.
- Negotiate total compensation where bonus/equity apply.
- Use competing offers in a competitive market.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average data scientist salary in the UK?
Mid-level UK data scientists typically earn £50,000–£70,000, with seniors reaching £95,000 and ML specialists or leads exceeding £100,000.
Do machine-learning specialists earn more?
Yes — ML and AI specialists generally command higher salaries than general analytics-focused data scientists.
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