Natural and social science professionals n.e.c.: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time natural and social science professionals n.e.c. in the UK earned a median £43,384 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £4,345 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That ranks 107th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The middle half of full-time jobs paid between £34,431 and £53,804.
Median full-time pay: women £40,917 a year, men £46,005 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 45,000 employee jobs, 93% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 9.7%, from £39,539, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 36,500 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 | £28,682 | £551.40 | £14.58 | £27,137 | £532.00 | £14.37 |
| 20th percentile | £32,144 | £617.40 | £16.63 | £31,511 | £615.30 | £16.63 |
| 25th percentile | £34,431 | £653.50 | £17.65 | £32,209 | £621.90 | £17.78 |
| 30th percentile | £35,758 | £688.50 | £18.55 | £34,995 | £672.40 | £18.72 |
| 40th percentile | £39,560 | £759.20 | £20.28 | £38,276 | £736.90 | £20.32 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £43,384 | £831.40 | £22.24 | £41,706 | £819.30 | £22.30 |
| 60th percentile | £46,140 | £893.80 | £23.84 | £45,269 | £881.70 | £23.89 |
| 70th percentile | £51,371 | £994.80 | £26.68 | £50,471 | £976.60 | £26.77 |
| 75th percentile | £53,804 | £1,041.70 | £27.81 | £53,132 | £1,027.70 | £27.91 |
| 80th percentile | £56,816* | £1,082.10* | £29.23 | £56,449* | £1,075.00 | £29.43 |
| Mean | £45,946 | £888.90 | £23.73 | £44,296 | £866.20 | £23.89 |
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 | £39,539 | £764.90 | £20.47 | £38,719 | £757.40 | 31* |
| 2022 revised | £40,920 | £772.20 | £20.59 | £40,137 | £762.30 | 42 |
| 2023 revised | £40,902 | £788.70 | £21.30 | £40,522 | £778.30 | 42 |
| 2024 revised | £41,484 | £810.70 | £22.04 | £41,287 | £801.90 | 45 |
| 2025 provisional | £43,384 | £831.40 | £22.24 | £41,706 | £819.30 | 45 |
Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. by region
UK: 36,500 (± 7,400), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What natural and social science professionals n.e.c. do
Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of scientific research and related activities not elsewhere classified in minor group 211: Natural and social science professionals. (ONS SOC 2020, 2119)
Also covers: operational research scientist, scientific officer, scientist, sports scientist, technical officer (laboratory), university research fellow (sciences), consumer scientist, researcher (scientific), scientific adviser, scientific researcher, research assistant (scientific), research associate (scientific), sports and exercise scientist and strength and conditioning coach.
- Plans, directs and undertakes research into natural phenomena
- Provides technical advisory and consulting services
- Designs tests and experiments to address research objective and find solutions
- Applies models and techniques to medical, industrial, agricultural, military and similar applications
- Analyses results and writes up results of tests and experiments undertaken
- Presents results of scientific research to sponsors, addresses conferences and publishes articles outlining the methodology and results of research undertaken
Entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification but is possible with other academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. On-the-job training and/or support for postgraduate study may be provided. Professional qualifications are available in some areas of activity.
Related
Natural and social science professionals (median £45,333) · Social and humanities scientists · Physical scientists · salary percentile · UK real pay growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026