How much do data scientists earn in UK? In 2025, data scientist salary in UK is between £30,000 and £90,000 per year (₹31–₹91L). The average data scientist salary in UK depends on experience, tools used, and job title.
Most data scientists work 37 to 39 hours a week, typically between 8 AM to 6 PM, with flexible schedules in hybrid or remote setups. Roles range from data analyst to AI engineer, and each has its own pay range based on tools used—like Python, SQL, R, TensorFlow, or Azure.
Here, we’ll cover
Average data scientist salary in UK
Entry-level to senior pay trends
Data scientist vs data analyst salary in UK
Top-paying UK cities for data science jobs
UK data science salary for Indian students in 2025
Planning to become a data scientist in UK? Start with the right course.
Entry-Level Data Scientist Salary in UK (0–2 Years)
Entry-level data scientist salary UK ranges from £30,000 to £58,000 per year (₹31–₹60L). The average data scientist salary in UK for freshers is around £46,000 (₹47L), with additional bonuses pushing total pay even higher. London consistently leads in pay, followed by cities like Manchester and Edinburgh.
Average Entry-Level Data Scientist Salary in UK by Location (2025)
Location
Base Pay Range (GBP/INR)
London
£40k – £58k (₹41 L – ₹60 L)
Rest of England
£36k – £50k (₹37 L – ₹52 L)
Scotland/Wales
£34k – £47k (₹35 L – ₹49 L)
*Total = base + average bonus/stock (~£5k).
Common Employers Hiring Fresh Data Scientists in UK
VC-backed analytics start-ups
Big 4 consulting data teams
Retail and telecom graduate schemes
Skills That Increase Entry-Level Data Scientist Salary in UK
Python + SQL proficiency (must-have)
Cloud ML exposure (AWS SageMaker or Azure ML)
Tableau/Power BI for quick visual insights
Small-project publishing on GitHub or Kaggle medals
Mid-Level & Senior Data Scientist Salary in UK (3–9 Years)
Mid to senior-level data scientists earn significantly more due to their experience, leadership roles, and domain specialisation. The senior data scientist salary UK can go up to £87,000 per year (₹89L+), especially in finance, big tech, and AI-focused roles. Mid-level professionals with 3–6 years of experience average around £54,000 to £64,000/year (₹55L to ₹66L), plus bonuses.
Data Scientist Salary in UK by Experience Level (2025)
Experience Level
Base Salary Range (GBP/INR)
Avg. Bonus (GBP/INR)
4–6 Years
£54K–£64K (₹55L–₹65L)
£8K (₹8L)
7–9 Years
£64K–£87K (₹65L–₹88L)
£11K (₹11L)
Remote vs Onsite Salary Trends in UK Data Science
London-based remote roles often still price salaries at the capital rate, provided you can visit HQ quarterly.
Fully remote contracts outside the SE typically price 5-8 % below London but throw in larger equity.
Career Progression and Salary Boost Paths in UK Data Science
Moving from data analyst to data scientist after mastering feature engineering
Transitioning into machine-learning engineer or AI product lead roles
Taking on team-lead mandates (adds £8k–£12k instantly)
Top Specializations That Impact Data Scientist Salary in UK
Companies pay more when a data scientist owns a shortage skill that solves revenue-critical problems. In 2025, the highest paying data science jobs in UK are in machine learning, NLP, and data engineering. These roles demand advanced tools like Python, Spark, and TensorFlow. If you’re targeting a data scientist salary in UK above £70,000 (₹74L), specialize early and keep your certifications updated.
High-Paying Data Science Skills (UK 2025)
Specialization
Avg. Base Salary (GBP)
Avg. Salary (INR)
Machine Learning Engineer
£70,000
₹74L
AI & NLP Specialist
£65,000
₹68.5L
Data Engineer
£72,000
₹76L
Certifications on AWS or Azure ML add another 5-10 percent to the data scientist pay scale UK.
Data Scientist Salary in UK by Job Title and Experience Level
Job title signals scope, risk, and business impact, so pay bands widen fast as you move from analyst to architect. In 2025, a data analyst vs data scientist salary UK difference can be over £25,000 (₹26L). Top-tier roles like machine learning engineers and data architects cross the £75,000 (₹79L) mark, especially in London, Edinburgh, and fintech hubs.
Data Scientist Salary in UK by Role (UK 2025)
Job Title
Avg. Salary (GBP)
Avg. Salary (INR)
Data Analyst
£38,000
₹40L
Data Scientist — Mid-Level (3-6 yrs)
£54,000
₹57L
Senior Data Scientist/ML Lead
£64,000
₹68L
Data Architect/Principal
£76,000+
₹80L+
Bonuses run £4,000–£11,000 (₹4–11L) depending on sector.
Top Companies Hiring Data Scientists in UK in 2025
In 2025, leading tech giants and finance firms dominate UK’s data science hiring landscape. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Deliveroo offer some of the highest packages—especially for roles in London. Meanwhile, firms like Faculty.ai, Lloyds Banking Group, and BBC provide stable career paths. Most of these companies actively recruit for roles offering total compensation between £55,000 and £120,000 per year, depending on experience and specialization.
Top Employers & Median Data Scientist Salaries in UK (2025)
Company
Total Pay Range (GBP)
Median Salary (GBP/INR)
Meta
£96T – £2L/year
£1L/₹1.05 Cr
Google (UK)
£60T – £1L/year
£77T/₹80.9L
Deliveroo
£64T – £81T/year
£73T/₹76.7L
Faculty.ai
£55T – £65T/year
£60T/₹63.0L
Lloyds Bank
£55T – £71T/year
£64T/₹67.2L
Data Scientist Salary in UK by City and Region
Cities with more tech companies and finance jobs—like London and Cambridge—pay more than regional hubs like Leeds or Manchester. In 2025, a data scientist in London earns around £60,274 (₹63.5L) per year, while salaries in cities like Cardiff or Bristol average about £50,000 (₹52–53L). If you’re aiming to work in UK, this breakdown helps you plan better—especially when weighing salary offers against local living costs.
Average Data Scientist Salaries in Top UK Cities (2025)
UK employers hire data scientists through four clear routes. Each demands a mix of coding, statistics, and business insight—but entry points, timelines, and study costs differ. Review the options below to see which pathway fits your goals and budget.
Data Scientist in UK: Pathways
Pathway
What You Do
Typical Timeline
University Degree/Master’s
Complete a BSc or MSc in data science, computer science, maths, statistics, or any program heavy on Python & SQL. Add internships to prove real-world skills.
3 – 4 years (BSc) or 1 – 2 years (MSc conversion)
Degree Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn on a Level 6 “Data Scientist” or Level 7 AI specialist apprenticeship. Tuition is employer-funded.
2 – 3 years
Direct Entry
Already handle data? Apply straight to the NHS, fintechs, consultancies, or government digital units with a strong project portfolio on GitHub and Kaggle.
0 – 6 months (job search)
Civil Service Fast Stream
Join the government’s Data Fellowship after a rigorous assessment. Rotations cover healthcare, defense, and climate analytics.
2-year program
Universities ask for 2–3 A-levels (or equivalent), apprenticeships need 4–5 GCSEs plus A-levels, and direct hires expect proof of Python, SQL, and either TensorFlow or PyTorch. Strong applicants also show hackathon wins or Kaggle medals to boost credibility
Is a Data Scientist’s Salary in UK Worth It for Indian Professionals?
Pros
The data scientist salary in London usually includes £60K+ plus £5K–£10K bonuses.
Lower income-tax bands than California; free NHS healthcare.
Tier 2 cities—Manchester, Leeds—pair £50K pay with cheaper rent, lifting real take-home.
Cons
Visa sponsorship adds paperwork; some firms cap total packages at £45K for first-time visas.
Living in zone-1 London can swallow 40 % of pay.
Senior roles demand UK experience; without it, progression slows after £70K.
Verdict
For most Indian tech professionals, the data scientist pay scale UK justifies the move—especially if you secure roles in the highest paying cities for data scientists in UK or land fintech offers of £70K+. A take-home of ₹4.8–₹6L per month outpaces comparable salaries in Bengaluru while granting EU exposure, NHS cover, and remote-first flexibility.
The trade-off is London housing and initial visa friction, but those costs shrink if you target Cambridge, Reading, or remote contracts. Overall, the upside in pay, career growth, and global research access outweighs the downsides for ambitious data scientists.
Is a Master’s degree required to become a data scientist in UK?
No, but it helps. A Master’s in data science, AI, or analytics increases your chances of getting hired and earning a higher salary. Many professionals enter the field with STEM bachelor’s degrees and build skills via certifications.
How much does an entry-level data scientist earn in UK?
The entry level data scientist salary UK in 2025 ranges from £30,000–£58,000/year (₹31L-₹59L). Roles in London or top tech hubs can start higher.
What is the mid-level data scientist salary in UK with 3–5 years of experience?
Mid-level professionals earn £54,000–£64,000/year (₹57–₹67L), plus bonuses averaging £4,000–£6,000.
Which UK cities offer the highest salary for data scientists?
London leads with £60K–£87K average. Highest paying cities for data scientists in UK also include Cambridge, Oxford, and Edinburgh.
What is the data scientist salary in London vs Manchester vs Birmingham?
In 2025, data scientist salary in London ranges between £65,000–£87,000 (₹70L–₹93L), thanks to the high demand and cost of living. In comparison, Manchester offers salaries between £52,000–£64,000 (₹56L–₹68L), while Birmingham ranges from £48,000–£58,000 (₹52L–₹61L). London remains the highest paying city, but Tier-2 cities offer better value when adjusted for expenses.
How much do data scientists earn in the finance sector in UK?
Finance offers one of the highest salaries—up to £90,000/year (₹96L) for experienced professionals, especially in fintech, banking, and investment analytics.
What is the data scientist salary in UK for Indian professionals in 2025?
On a Skilled Worker visa, most Indian professionals earn between £42,000–£65,000/year (₹44L–₹69L), depending on city, company, and role.
Do tech companies in UK offer bonuses for data scientists?
Yes. Annual bonuses range from £3,000–£10,000, depending on seniority and company performance. Tech giants offer additional stock-based compensation.
What is the freelance data scientist salary per hour in UK?
Freelancers charge £40–£100/hour (₹4K–₹10K), depending on niche skills (e.g., NLP, computer vision, big data architecture).
Does having a master’s degree increase data scientist salary in UK?
Yes. Candidates with relevant postgraduate degrees often earn £5,000–£10,000/year more than those with only bachelor’s degrees.
What is the average remote data scientist salary in UK in 2025?
Remote roles pay slightly lower than London onsite jobs: £50,000–£65,000/year, but offer flexibility and reduced living costs.
Which programming skills lead to higher data scientist salaries in UK?
Skills in Python, R, SQL, Spark, TensorFlow, AWS, and Power BI lead to higher pay, especially in ML and cloud-based roles.
What is the data science salary in UK under Skilled Worker visa?
Skilled Worker visa holders earn a base of £41,500–£65,000/year (₹44L–₹69L), with variation based on location and employer type.
Can data scientists in UK earn more than £100,000 a year?
Yes, but typically in roles like Principal Data Scientist, AI Architect, or Head of Data in large firms, especially in London or finance.
Do data scientist salaries in UK vary by industry or domain?
Absolutely. Data scientist job roles and salary UK differ widely. Fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce pay the most, while academia and nonprofits offer lower packages.
With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless stud...
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