Biological scientists: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time biological scientists in the UK earned a median £45,382 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 16% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 93rd of 382 occupations on this measure.
Median full-time pay: women £20.19 an hour, men £24.88 an hour.
ASHE counts roughly 16,000 employee jobs, 88% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 17.1%, from £38,755, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 37,800 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | £29,128* | £583.60 | £15.09 | £27,726* | £555.80* | £15.35 |
| 25th percentile | £31,080* | £625.00 | £16.93 | £29,168* | £580.60 | £16.88 |
| 30th percentile | £37,347* | £638.70 | £17.29 | £33,326* | £628.80 | £17.28 |
| 40th percentile | £41,084* | £762.70 | £20.10* | £38,676* | £740.80 | £19.35* |
| Median (50th percentile) | £45,382* | £856.50 | £22.26* | £43,781* | £824.80 | £22.22* |
| 60th percentile | – | £959.40* | £25.97* | – | £903.10* | £25.86* |
| Mean | £52,019 | £1,008.00 | £26.79 | £48,939 | £950.70 | £26.62 |
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 | £38,755* | £722.00 | £18.81 | £37,118* | £718.00 | 17* |
| 2022 revised | £33,458* | £673.20 | £18.36* | £32,511* | £657.10 | 15* |
| 2023 revised | – | £673.80 | £18.19 | £33,899* | £657.80 | 13* |
| 2024 revised | £40,809* | £767.60 | £20.34 | – | £761.60* | 11* |
| 2025 provisional | £45,382* | £856.50 | £22.26* | £43,781* | £824.80 | 16* |
Biological scientists by region
UK: 37,800 (± 7,500), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What biological scientists do
Biological scientists examine and investigate the morphology, structure, and physical characteristics of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases. (ONS SOC 2020, 2112)
Also covers: agricultural consultant, forensic scientist, horticulturist (professional), microbiologist, pathologist, adviser (agricultural), advisory officer, agricultural adviser, agricultural chemist, agricultural nutritionist, agricultural scientist, animal nutritionist, animal scientist, aquatic scientist, arboricultural manager, audiological scientist, computational neuroscientist and dairy consultant (114 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Studies the physical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms
- Researches the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms
- Observes the structure of communities of organisms in the laboratory and in their natural environment
- Advises farmers, medical staff and others, on the nature of field crops, livestock and produce and on the treatment and prevention of disease
- Monitors the distribution, presence and behaviour of plants, animals and aquatic life, and performs other scientific tasks related to conservation not performed by Job holders in MINOR GROUP 215: Conservation and Environment Professionals
Entrants usually possess a degree and some roles may require a postgraduate qualification. 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 gain professional qualifications.
Related
Natural and social science professionals (median £45,333) · Chemical scientists · Biochemists and biomedical scientists · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026