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Data Scientist Salary in UK (2025)

By Jyotsna Singh

Updated on Jun 23, 2025 | 1.62K+ views

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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

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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

Study Path for Aspiring Data Professionals

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)

Boost Your Job Readiness

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.

Career & Job Opportunities After Graduation

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.

Working While You Study

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 GoogleMetaAmazon, and Deliveroo offer some of the highest packages—especially for roles in London. Meanwhile, firms like Faculty.aiLloyds 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)

City

Avg. Annual Salary (GBP)

Approx. Salary in INR

London

£60,274

₹63.5L

Cambridge

£61,155

₹64.5L

Birmingham

£52,426

₹55.3L

Glasgow

£52,054

₹54.9L

Edinburgh

£51,794

₹54.6L

Cardiff

£50,320

₹52.9L

Leeds

£50,201

₹52.8L

Bristol

£49,589

₹52.2L

Manchester

£48,919

₹51.6L

Financial Support & Study Resources

How to Become a Data Scientist in UK

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

Know Before You Go

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.

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FAQs About Data Scientist Salary in UK

Is a Master’s degree required to become a data scientist in UK?

How much does an entry-level data scientist earn in UK?

What is the mid-level data scientist salary in UK with 3–5 years of experience?

Which UK cities offer the highest salary for data scientists?

What is the data scientist salary in London vs Manchester vs Birmingham?

How much do data scientists earn in the finance sector in UK?

What is the data scientist salary in UK for Indian professionals in 2025?

Do tech companies in UK offer bonuses for data scientists?

What is the freelance data scientist salary per hour in UK?

Does having a master’s degree increase data scientist salary in UK?

What is the average remote data scientist salary in UK in 2025?

Which programming skills lead to higher data scientist salaries in UK?

What is the data science salary in UK under Skilled Worker visa?

Can data scientists in UK earn more than £100,000 a year?

Do data scientist salaries in UK vary by industry or domain?

Jyotsna Singh

173 articles published

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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