Understanding the Data Scientist Salary Landscape in the UK

If you are looking for a data scientist salary in the UK, you need reliable benchmarks. The latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 gives a useful starting point, though it does not break out data scientist roles specifically. This article explains how to interpret the available figures and convert between hourly and annual pay.

What the Official Data Tells Us

According to ONS ASHE 2025, the median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees across all occupations were £766.60. That works out to a median annual salary of £39,039 for those who have been in the same job for at least a year. The median hourly rate (excluding overtime) was £19.67. These figures are for all full-time employees, not just data scientists.

Data scientist roles are typically classified under Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes such as 21 (Science, Engineering and Technology Associate Professionals) or 31 (Science and Technology Professionals). Unfortunately, the search results did not include a two-digit SOC breakdown for these groups. However, it is reasonable to expect that data scientist salaries are above the national median, given the specialist skills required.

For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025, rising to £12.71 per hour from April 2026. A data scientist salary will be significantly higher than this floor.

Hourly to Annual Conversion for Data Scientists

When you see a data scientist salary quoted as an hourly rate, you can convert it to an annual figure using a standard assumption of 37.5 hours per week (common in many professional roles) multiplied by 52 weeks. The formula is:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For example:

• £20.00/hr × 37.5 × 52 = £39,000
• £25.00/hr × 37.5 × 52 = £48,750
• £30.00/hr × 37.5 × 52 = £58,500

If you work part-time, adjust the hours per week accordingly. For instance, a 3-day week (22.5 hours) at £25/hr gives £25 × 22.5 × 52 = £29,250.

Remember that this conversion assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonuses, or salary sacrifice. Actual take-home pay will depend on your specific contract and any London weighting or shift allowances.

Regional Variations and London Weighting

ONS ASHE data shows that earnings vary by region. London and the South East typically have higher median pay. Many employers add a London weighting – for example, the NHS Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) add up to 20% of basic salary for inner London. Private sector data scientist roles in London often command a premium of 10–20% above the national median.

If you are negotiating a data scientist salary, ask whether the quoted figure includes London weighting and whether overtime or bonus pay is separate.

Part-Time and Full-Time Considerations

ONS ASHE defines full-time as working more than 30 paid hours per week (or 25 for teaching professions). Part-time employees earn a lower weekly median (£280.00 in April 2025). For data scientists, part-time roles are less common but do exist. When converting a part-time hourly rate to annual, use the same formula with your actual contracted hours.

How to Use This Information

While the search results did not provide a precise data scientist salary figure, you can use the overall median as a benchmark and adjust upwards based on your experience, location, and sector. For more detailed data, refer to the ONS ASHE tables by occupation (two-digit SOC) or industry. You can also use our Hourly to Salary calculator to convert any rate.

For further reading, see our salary articles on UK pay trends and salary data for various occupations.

Summary

• ONS ASHE 2025: median full-time weekly earnings £766.60, annual £39,039, hourly £19.67.
• Data scientist roles typically pay above these medians.
• Convert hourly to annual using 37.5 hrs/week × 52 weeks.
• London weighting can add 10–20%.
• Always check your contract for overtime, bonuses, and holiday pay.

Use our hourly calculator to run your own conversions and explore topics for more UK salary guidance.