Data Science Salaries in London and the UK
Data science is an interdisciplinary field, not a job in and of itself. When searching for a data science salary, it’s likely that you are referring to data scientists, as well as to managers, heads of departments, and leadership positions related to the field.
Each of these has its own average salary, which is important to know if you intend to enter the field or if you wish to ensure your salaries are competitive for new hires.
The average data science salary in the UK
As of 2022, the national average for a data engineer in the UK is somewhere between £49,000 and £65,000. Broader pay ranges than this are available, however, depending on jobs’ locations, and individual skill and experience. This also does not include London-based organisations.
The average data science salary in London
London is a tech and business hub, and those working within data science are usually in high demand. This makes data science roles more competitive to get and the average salary more lucrative. As a result, you can expect to see average data scientist salaries starting at around £55,000 and increasing to somewhere between £60,000 and £65,000 within a few years.
A more experienced data scientist is also likely to make more than this. Some of these individuals may even earn somewhere between £90,000 and £100,000 a year.
Candidates with Master’s degrees and PhDs
While it isn’t a mandatory requirement, having a Master’s degree or a PhD can make a candidate a very attractive prospective hire. Depending on the organisation and its needs, this might mean that a candidate is offered more money than they would otherwise have been. This is an acknowledgement of their skills and experience received through education.
The average salary for the Head of Data Science
The lowest salary that a Head of Data Science can expect to earn in the UK is somewhere around £60,000, though most of these are likely to be based in smaller firms or outside of London. For many, this will also be a starting salary. Those based in the capital or those with more experience behind them are likely to earn somewhere around £85,000 to £95,000. Many with more than a decade of experience will go on to earn over £100,000 every year.
The average salary for the Vice President of Data Science
Depending on location and years of experience, the average salary for a Vice President of Data Science within an organisation is likely to change. This may result in individuals in some locations having salaries of somewhere between £76,000 and £85,000, while others may see annual salaries of up to £180,000. The latter of these is more likely to be the case for Vice Presidents of Data Science in select organisations in London.
The average salary for a senior data scientist
Much like lead data scientists, the lower end of the average salary for a senior data scientist is generally somewhere between £65,000 and £70,000, with some fluctuation in pay in either direction. Depending on location, skills, and years of experience, the higher end of the scale has the potential to increase to £85,000 or more. Some of the most experienced senior data scientists may even earn up to £120,000, depending on the organisation they work for.
The average salary for an associate data scientist
Junior and associate data scientists are likely to have starting salaries of somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000. This is the most common salary for entry-level individuals. After a few years in their chosen sector of industry, they can expect this to increase up to around £40,000 based on knowledge and experience. This is also often a starting salary for individuals working in London, where salaries for the associate position tend to fluctuate between £36,000 and £42,000.
The average salary for a data science intern
The lowest starting salary for anybody coming into data science at entry level will be somewhere between £23,000 and £24,000. Not every organisation will offer internships, however, so an individual looking for these positions may find strong competition when applying.
The average salary for the Director of Data Science
Depending on location, experience, and demand for the service, the salary of a Director of Data Science can fluctuate greatly. Because of this, you may find salaries starting at £50,000 in some areas of the UK, while in others you may find that a Director of Data Science can earn anywhere between £80,000 and £95,000 per year. Those with years of experience in this position may even find salaries linked to the job title increasing to somewhere between £108,000 and £110,000.
The average salary for a data science manager
The lower end of starting salaries for an entry-level data science manager is somewhere around £57,000. With years of experience, and after gaining knowledge and skills in the role, this will normally see an increase to somewhere between £70,000 and £85,000. Working in this role for decades, or for larger corporations in London, may even result in an increase to £90,000 per year or more.
The average salary for a lead data scientist
The lower end of the salary scale for a lead data scientist in the UK is somewhere around £65,000. This will also be the average salary for many locations outside of London. With years of experience and gained knowledge and skills, this is likely to increase to somewhere around £70,000. Further years of experience, as well as a change of location, may result in an increase in salary to somewhere between £80,000 and £85,000.
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