Social and humanities scientists: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time social and humanities scientists in the UK earned a median £39,899 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £860 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 135th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
Median full-time pay: women £39,031 a year, men £42,412 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 14,000 employee jobs, 86% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 21.7%, from £32,789, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 35,500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | £28,613* | £551.10 | £14.78 | £28,010 | – | £14.98 |
| 25th percentile | £29,963* | £571.70 | £15.46 | £28,393* | £551.60 | £15.46 |
| 30th percentile | £31,948 | £582.30 | £15.85 | £29,612* | £573.80 | £15.96 |
| 40th percentile | £37,430* | £677.90* | £18.32 | £35,008* | £632.90 | £18.60 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £39,899* | £734.00* | £19.96* | £38,591* | £694.00* | £20.01* |
| 60th percentile | £44,391* | £858.30* | £22.32* | £44,108* | £828.60* | £22.47* |
| 70th percentile | £47,593* | £948.50* | £24.75* | £46,192* | £936.20* | £25.56* |
| 75th percentile | – | – | £26.37* | – | £978.60* | £26.38* |
| Mean | £42,385 | £824.50 | £22.06 | £40,614 | £802.40 | £22.44 |
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 | £32,789 | £652.30 | £18.68 | £32,281* | £638.90 | 12* |
| 2022 revised | £34,595* | £670.30 | £19.01 | £34,212* | £671.80 | 13* |
| 2023 revised | £35,828* | £696.20 | £18.11* | £34,355* | £621.60* | 15* |
| 2024 revised | £40,395* | £731.60 | £19.97 | £37,466* | £684.20 | 13* |
| 2025 provisional | £39,899* | £734.00* | £19.96* | £38,591* | £694.00* | 14* |
Social and humanities scientists by region
UK: 35,500 (± 7,300), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What social and humanities scientists do
Social and humanities scientists study and analyse human behaviour and the origin, structure and characteristics of language undertake research in areas such as sociology, economics, politics, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature, the arts organise the collection of qualitative and quantitative information and perform subsequent analyses. (ONS SOC 2020, 2115)
Also covers: anthropologist, archaeologist, criminologist, epidemiologist, geographer, GIS analyst, historian, political researcher, social scientist, archaeological officer, archaeological surveyor, behavioural scientist, gis consultant, historical researcher, parliamentary caseworker, parliamentary researcher, policy researcher and political scientist (51 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Studies society and the manner in which people behave and impact upon the world
- Undertakes research across the humanities that furthers understanding of human culture and creativity
- Traces the evolution of word and language forms, compares grammatical structures and analyses the relationships between ancient, parent and modern languages
- Identifies, compiles and analyses economic, demographic, legal, political, social and other data to address research objectives
- Administers questionnaires, carries out interviews, organises focus groups and implements other social research tools
- Undertakes analyses of data, presents results of research to sponsors, the media and other interested organisations
Entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification but is possible with other academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Postgraduate qualifications may be required for some jobs.
Related
Natural and social science professionals (median £45,333) · Physical 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