Median data scientist salary in United Kingdom is £80k. Junior roles (0–2 years) start at £50k; senior roles (7+ years) reach £140k+. Numbers reflect 2026 UK market data.
Data Scientists in the UK earn between £45,000 and £85,000 annually, with London positions commanding a 20-30% premium over regional roles. Your salary depends heavily on experience: entry-level positions start around £40,000, mid-career specialists reach £60,000-£75,000, and senior roles with management responsibility exceed £100,000. The tech hubs—London, Manchester, and Edinburgh—offer the strongest compensation packages, though remote-first companies increasingly match these rates nationally. If you're transitioning into data science, expect to negotiate firmly on base salary rather than relying on bonuses, as many UK employers front-load compensation. Companies hiring for Python, SQL, and machine learning expertise typically offer better terms than those requiring niche skills alone. Below you'll find current job listings showing what UK employers are actually paying right now, plus real interview questions from recent hiring cycles.
| Level | Years | Salary (median) | 10th–90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0–2 | £50k | £43k – £60k |
| Mid-level | 3–6 | £80k | £68k – £96k |
| Senior | 7+ | £140k | £119k – £196k |
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