Chemical scientists: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time chemical scientists in the UK earned a median £39,983 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £944 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 132nd of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
The mean, £49,758, is 24% above the median, a sign of a few very high earners.
Median full-time pay: women £35,292 a year, men £48,124 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 19,000 employee jobs, 100% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 17.7%, from £653.60, slower than the 25.7% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 25,100 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | – | £501.90 | £13.53 | – | £496.90 | £13.54 |
| 20th percentile | £32,052 | £566.50 | £15.75 | £31,307 | £532.10 | £15.91 |
| 25th percentile | £32,729 | £633.30 | £16.55 | £32,412 | £617.60 | £16.52 |
| 30th percentile | £33,781 | £657.20 | £17.59 | £33,159 | £651.40 | £17.50 |
| 40th percentile | £38,014 | £702.40 | £18.71 | £37,830 | £698.30 | £18.52 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £39,983* | £769.30 | £20.63 | £39,668* | £763.40 | £20.39 |
| 60th percentile | £46,305* | £882.50 | £22.44 | £45,608* | £864.50 | £22.25 |
| 70th percentile | – | £956.90* | £25.33* | £51,001* | £956.10* | £24.73* |
| 75th percentile | – | £973.30* | £26.74* | – | £970.90* | £26.35* |
| Mean | £49,758 | £891.90 | £23.64 | £48,737 | £874.20 | £23.56 |
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 | – | £653.60 | £17.70 | – | £653.60 | 16* |
| 2022 revised | £36,744 | £700.30 | £18.08 | £36,182 | £687.30 | 18* |
| 2023 revised | £35,173* | £616.10 | £16.59 | £34,841* | £613.30 | 22* |
| 2024 revised | £39,903* | £774.20 | £19.82 | £38,996* | £769.20 | 16* |
| 2025 provisional | £39,983* | £769.30 | £20.63 | £39,668* | £763.40 | 19* |
Chemical scientists by region
UK: 25,100 (± 6,100), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What chemical scientists do
Chemical scientists analyse and research physical aspects of chemical structure and change within substances and develop chemical techniques used in the manufacture or modification of natural substances and processed products. (ONS SOC 2020, 2111)
Also covers: analytical chemist, chemist, development chemist, industrial chemist, laboratory analyst, research scientist (chemical), chemical analyst, chemical consultant, chief analyst, chief chemist, consulting chemist, county analyst, electroplating chemist, government chemist, inorganic chemist, lab analyst, laboratory chemist and managing chemist (47 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Develops experimental procedures, instruments and recording and testing systems
- Operates specialised scientific equipment and conducts experiments to identify chemical composition, energy and chemical changes in natural substances and processed materials
- Analyses results and experimental data
- Tests techniques and processes for reliability under a variety of conditions
- Develops procedures for quality control of manufactured products
Entrants usually possess a degree. Entry may also be possible with an appropriate BTEC/SQA award, an Advanced GNVQ/GSVQ level III, 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) · Biological scientists · Biochemists and biomedical scientists · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Mean
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026