The Data Scientist salary in UK is around £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh) per year in average base pay in 2026. Data Scientists can also earn around £5,000 (₹6.44 lakh) in additional pay, such as bonuses and other payments. Salary can vary based on experience, skills, location, industry and company.
Below is a quick look at the Data Scientist salary in UK:
Average base salary: Around £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh) per year.
Additional pay: Around £5,000 (₹6.44 lakh) per year.
Base salary range: Around £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh).
Salary growth: Pay can increase as Data Scientists gain experience and move into senior or lead roles.
This article explains the Data Scientist salary in UK in 2026, including pay by experience, city, specialisation and industry, along with factors that can affect earnings.
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Data Scientist Salary in UK by Experience
Experience has a direct effect on the Data Scientist salary in UK. As professionals gain more skills and take on bigger projects, their pay can increase. Senior and principal roles can also come with extra pay on top of the base salary.
The salary range can change by experience level, as shown below:
1. Entry-Level Data Scientist Salary
Entry-level Data Scientists are usually at the start of their careers and may have limited work experience. The overall Data Scientist base pay range in UK at £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh), with an average base pay of £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh).
Salary Type
Annual Salary
Approximate INR
Base pay range
£39,000–£64,000
₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh
Average base pay
£50,000
₹64.40 lakh
2. Mid-Level Data Scientist Salary
Mid-level Data Scientists usually have a few years of experience and can work on projects with less supervision. Their salary can move above the general Data Scientist range, especially when they have strong technical skills or work in a high-paying industry.
Salary Type
Annual Salary
Approximate INR
Typical base pay
£50,000–£65,000
₹64.40–₹83.72 lakh
Possible additional pay
£5,000–£10,000
₹6.44–₹12.88 lakh
The mid-level figures are an indicative range based on current Data Scientist and Senior Data Scientist salary data on Glassdoor.
3. Senior Data Scientist Salary
Senior Data Scientists usually handle more complex work and may guide other team members. An average base pay of £69,000 (₹88.87 lakh), with a base pay range of £57,000–£83,000 (₹73.41 lakh–₹1.07 crore). Average additional pay is around £8,000 (₹10.30 lakh).
Salary Type
Annual Salary
Approximate INR
Base pay range
£57,000–£83,000
₹73.41 lakh–₹1.07 crore
Average base pay
£69,000
₹88.87 lakh
Average additional pay
£8,000
₹10.30 lakh
4. Lead or Principal Data Scientist Salary
Lead and Principal Data Scientists usually take on bigger technical decisions and may lead data teams or major projects. The average base pay for Principal Data Scientists at £76,000 (₹97.88 lakh), with a base pay range of £61,000–£95,000 (₹78.56 lakh–₹1.22 crore).
The Data Scientist salary in UK can vary from one city to another. London generally offers higher salaries, but other cities such as Cambridge, Manchester and Edinburgh also have good opportunities. Experience, skills and the company can also affect the final salary.
The estimated Data Scientist salary range in major UK cities is given below:
City
Annual Salary Range
Approximate Salary in INR
London
£45,000–£78,000
₹57.96 lakh–₹1.00 crore
Cambridge
£40,000–£65,000
₹51.52–₹83.72 lakh
Manchester
£35,000–£60,000
₹45.08–₹77.28 lakh
Edinburgh
£38,000–£65,000
₹48.94–₹83.72 lakh
Birmingham
£34,000–£58,000
₹43.79–₹74.70 lakh
Leeds
£35,000–£58,000
₹45.08–₹74.70 lakh
Note: These are indicative salary ranges based on current Glassdoor city-level salary data. Actual pay can be higher or lower depending on experience, job title, technical skills and employer.
Data Scientist Salary in UK by Specialisation
The Data Scientist salary in UK can also depend on the area of work. Some Data Scientists focus on AI and machine learning, while others work with business, finance or healthcare data, but the amount of data available is not the same for every specialisation.
The latest salary data for these Data Scientist specialisations is given below:
Specialisation
Annual Salary
Approximate Salary in INR
Machine Learning Data Scientist
£39,000–£64,000
₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh
AI Data Scientist
£39,000–£64,000
₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh
Business Data Scientist
£41,199–£74,228
₹53.05–₹95.59 lakh
Financial Data Scientist
£39,000–£64,000
₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh
Healthcare Data Scientist
£39,000–£64,000
₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh
Source: Glassdoor, latest available salary data checke. INR conversions are based on £1 = ₹128.793. Salary figures shown are base pay unless stated otherwise.
The Data Scientist salary in UK can vary by industry because different sectors need different types of data skills. Data Scientists work in technology, finance, retail, healthcare and government roles. Companies that handle large amounts of data may also offer different pay based on the role, experience and level of responsibility.
The latest data for Data Scientist roles across major UK industries is shown below:
Industry
Example Current Total Pay Range
Approximate Salary in INR
Technology
£60,000–£120,000
₹77.28 lakh–₹1.55 crore
Finance and Banking
£45,000–£69,000
₹57.96–₹88.87 lakh
Retail and E-commerce
£45,000–£64,000
₹57.96–₹82.43 lakh
Healthcare and Life Sciences
£45,000–£68,000
₹57.96–₹87.58 lakh
Public Sector
£31,000–£46,000
₹39.93–₹59.24 lakh
Source: Glassdoor, latest available UK salary data checked. INR conversions are based on £1 = ₹128.793.
Highest-Paying Companies for Data Scientists in UK
Some companies in UK offer much higher salaries for Data Scientists, especially for senior and specialist roles. Large technology, finance and AI companies often pay more because these jobs can involve advanced machine learning, large datasets and complex business problems.
The latest data shows the following salary ranges for Data Scientist and closely related senior data science roles at high-paying companies in UK:
Company
Annual Salary Range
Approximate Salary in INR
Amazon
£100,000–£141,000
₹1.29–₹1.82 crore
Microsoft
£75,000–£123,000
₹96.59 lakh–₹1.58 crore
Google
£75,000–£110,000
₹96.59 lakh–₹1.42 crore
JPMorganChase
£78,000–£103,000
₹1.00–₹1.33 crore
Wise
£91,000–£127,000
₹1.17–₹1.64 crore
Source: Glassdoor, latest available UK job and salary data. INR conversions are based on £1 = ₹128.793.
The Data Scientist salary in UK is not the same for everyone. Two people with the job title can earn different salaries because of their experience, skills, education, location and employer. Factors such, as education, skills, certifications and years of experience can affect Data Scientist pay in UK.
The main factors that can affect a Data Scientist's salary in UK are listed below:
Work experience: Salary usually increases as you gain more experience. Salary currently shows £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh) as UK base pay range for Data Scientists, while Senior Data Scientists have a higher range of £57,000–£83,000 (₹73.41 lakh–₹1.07 crore).
Technical skills: Skills in areas such as Python, machine learning, SQL, statistics and data modelling can help you qualify for more advanced roles. Specialised technical skills can also open the door to higher-paying jobs.
Education and certifications: A relevant degree can help you enter the field, while advanced education or useful certifications may help when applying for specialised or senior positions.
Location: Where you work can make a big difference. Data Scientists in London earning figures such as £74,000–£86,000 (₹95.43 lakh–₹1.11 crore), while recent submissions from Manchester include £52,000–£61,000 (₹66.97–₹78.56 lakh).
Company: Companies such as Meta, Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest Group among employers reporting Data Scientist salaries in UK. Larger companies can also offer higher pay, especially for experienced professionals.
Job level: A Data Scientist, Senior Data Scientist and Data Scientist Manager do not usually earn the same salary. A total-pay trajectory from £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh) for Data Scientists to £65,000–£98,000 (₹83.72 lakh–₹1.26 crore) for Data Scientist Managers.
Industry: The sector you work in can also affect your pay. Finance, technology and other industries that depend heavily on data may have different salary levels and bonus structures.
Data Scientist Salary in UK vs India
The Data Scientist salary in UK is higher than in India when compared in absolute terms. However, salary depends on experience, skills, job level, location and company. The latest salary data also shows that senior roles can have a much wider pay range in both countries.
The table below gives a quick comparison of the main salary factors for Data Scientists in UK and India.
Factor
UK
India
Average base salary
£54,814 (₹70.60 lakh) per year
₹15 lakh per year
Data Scientist base pay
£39K–£64K (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh)
₹9L–₹22L per year
Senior Data Scientist
£57K–£83K (₹73.41 lakh–₹1.07 crore)
₹16L–₹31L per year
Additional pay
Around £5K (₹6.44 lakh)
Around ₹2 lakh
Higher-level roles
Senior and manager roles can cross £80K (₹1.03 crore)
Lead and Principal roles can cross ₹30 lakh
Key salary factors
Experience, skills, location, company and job level
Experience, skills, location, company and job level
The figures show that UK offers higher salaries in absolute terms, while India also has strong earning potential as professionals move into senior, lead and principal roles.
Source: Glassdoor
Conclusion
The Data Scientist salary in UK is attractive, especially for professionals with strong technical skills and work experience. Current salary data shows that Data Scientists in UK earn around £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh) per year, with an average base salary of about £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh).
Salary can vary based on experience, city, industry, specialisation, company and job level. Senior and higher-level roles can offer much higher pay, especially for professionals with skills in areas such as AI, machine learning and data analytics.
For Indian students and professionals, UK can offer good salary potential and international work experience. However, it is also important to consider living costs, taxes and other expenses when comparing the salary with India.
AI and Data Science salaries can overlap, so there is no fixed winner. AI roles may pay more when they involve advanced machine learning, generative AI or specialised technical skills. Data Science can also offer high salaries, especially at senior levels. The final pay depends on the role, experience and company.
Are Data Scientists in demand in UK?
Yes, Data Scientists are still used across technology, finance, healthcare, retail and other data-driven industries. UK also lists statistical data scientists as a Higher Skilled occupation under the Skilled Worker route. However, the wider tech job market has become more competitive in recent years.
What is the senior Data Scientist salary in UK?
Senior Data Scientist salaries can vary widely depending on experience and location. Recent Glassdoor submissions in September 2026 include £53K–£61K (₹68.19–₹78.56 lakh) and £68K–£79K (₹87.58 lakh–₹1.02 crore) in London. Some higher-paying submissions have crossed £100K (₹1.29 crore).
What is the Data Scientist salary in UK per month?
The monthly salary depends on the annual package. For example, a base salary of £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh) works out to around £4,167 (₹5.36 lakh) per month before tax and other deductions. This is only a simple annual-to-monthly calculation and does not show the actual take-home pay.
What is the average Data Scientist salary in UK?
The current average base salary for a Data Scientist in UK is around £50,000 (₹64.40 lakh) per year. The current base-pay range is about £39,000–£64,000 (₹50.23–₹82.43 lakh). Actual pay can be higher or lower depending on experience, location and employer.
What qualifications are needed to become a Data Scientist in UK?
A degree in data science, computer science, mathematics, statistics or a related subject can be useful. Employers also look for practical skills such as Python, SQL, statistics and machine learning. A strong project portfolio can help show these skills. Some roles may also ask for a master's degree or relevant work experience.
Can international students work as Data Scientists in UK?
Yes, international students may be able to work in UK after their studies if they meet the requirements of the relevant work visa. Data-related roles can fall under eligible skilled occupations, but visa rules and eligibility can change. Students should check the latest UK government guidance before applying for jobs.
Is Data Science a good career in UK?
Data Science can be a good career for people who enjoy numbers, technology and problem-solving. The skills can be used in several industries, which gives professionals different career paths. However, competition can be strong, so keeping up with AI, machine learning and data tools is useful.
Which UK cities are best for Data Scientist jobs?
London has one of the largest Data Scientist job markets in UK, but it is not the only option. Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol also have Data Scientist roles. The right city depends on the type of job, employer and salary you are targeting. Living costs are also worth checking before making a decision.
Can Data Scientists earn £100,000 in UK?
Yes, but £100,000 (₹1.29 crore) is not a typical starting salary. Higher pay is more likely in senior, specialised or high-paying company roles. Recent Glassdoor submissions show that some Senior Data Scientists have reported total pay ranges above £100K.
What is the starting salary for a Data Scientist in UK?
A junior Data Scientist in UK can expect an estimated salary of around £25,000–£43,000 (₹32.20–₹55.38 lakh) per year, depending on the employer and location. The current average for Junior Data Scientists is about £37,351 (₹48.09 lakh). Candidates with strong Python, SQL, statistics and machine learning skills may have better opportunities as they gain experience.
How can international students pursue data science jobs in the UK?
International students can find data science jobs in the UK after completing postgraduate programs. Gaining internship experience, strong communication skills, and certifications in tools like Python and Tableau improves employability.
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