Biochemists and biomedical scientists: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time biochemists and biomedical scientists in the UK earned a median £47,892 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 23% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 69th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The middle half of full-time jobs paid between £37,637 and £56,662.
Median full-time pay: women £46,801 a year, men £48,904 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 55,000 employee jobs, 82% full-time.
From £38,735 in 2021, the median is up 23.6%, close to the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 68,000 people in this line of work, 17% of them in South East.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £30,985 | £606.20 | £16.02 | £28,002 | £515.30 | £16.05 |
| 20th percentile | £36,167 | £684.20 | £17.81 | £32,193 | £619.50 | £18.52 |
| 25th percentile | £37,637 | £722.10 | £19.43 | £35,161 | £654.90 | £19.59 |
| 30th percentile | £39,321 | £775.40 | £20.45 | £37,187 | £703.30 | £20.68 |
| 40th percentile | £44,496 | £861.70 | £22.63 | £40,582 | £785.70 | £22.99 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £47,892 | £915.90 | £23.79 | £45,269 | £861.70 | £24.41 |
| 60th percentile | £51,689 | £998.20 | £26.64 | £49,953 | £955.20 | £26.99 |
| 70th percentile | £54,362 | £1,056.00 | £28.05 | £53,311 | £1,028.10 | £28.40 |
| 75th percentile | £56,662 | £1,087.60 | £29.40 | £54,701 | £1,062.70 | £29.42 |
| 80th percentile | £57,903* | £1,155.10 | £30.78 | £57,283 | £1,108.10 | £30.82 |
| Mean | £53,074 | £981.20 | £25.84 | £50,191 | £924.60 | £26.38 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £38,735 | £741.60 | £19.45 | £37,626 | £726.20 | 39 |
| 2022 revised | £43,279 | £808.30 | £21.50 | £40,888 | £763.40 | 43 |
| 2023 revised | £44,815 | £839.50 | £22.40 | £43,960 | £823.20 | 39 |
| 2024 revised | £45,925 | £906.20 | £23.76 | £44,730 | £846.20 | 43 |
| 2025 provisional | £47,892 | £915.90 | £23.79 | £45,269 | £861.70 | 55 |
Biochemists and biomedical scientists by region
UK: 68,000 (± 10,100), April 2025 to March 2026. 10 of the 12 regions and nations have samples too small to publish.
| Region or nation | People in employment | 95% confidence interval |
|---|---|---|
| South East | 11,300* | ± 4,200 |
| North West | 10,000* | ± 3,800 |
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What biochemists and biomedical scientists do
Biochemists and biomedical scientists examine and investigate the chemical processes of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases, and perform laboratory tests on tissue, blood and other samples to diagnose diseases, toxins or health conditions. (ONS SOC 2020, 2113)
Also covers: clinical technologist, endocrinologist, histopathologist, medical technologist, medical researcher, biological chemist, biomedical technologist, clinical scientist, consultant (pharmaceutical), consultant histopathologist, dna analyst, forensic chemist, genetic engineer, genetic technologist, pharmaceutical consultant, pharmaceutical scientist, researcher (biochemical) and researcher (medical) (49 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Studies the chemical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms
- Identifies and studies the chemical substances, including microbial infections, involved in physiological processes and the progress of disease
- Performs tests to study physiological and pathological characteristics within cells and other organisms
- Researches the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms
- Performs tests to help clinicians diagnose and treat various conditions, evaluates existing treatments and researches new ways to treat diseases
- Researches, develops and quality checks new products in the pharmaceuticals, food production and agricultural Industries
Entrants usually possess a degree. Entry may also be possible with an appropriate BTEC/SQA award, an HNC/NHD, or other academic qualifications. Further specialist training is provided on the job. Some employers may expect entrants to hold a postgraduate qualification or gain professional qualifications.
Related
Natural and social science professionals (median £45,333) · Biological scientists · Physical scientists · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026