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Physicist Average Salary in United Kingdom 2024

How much money does a person working as Physicist make in United Kingdom?


Average Yearly Salary
155,000 GBP
( 12,900 GBP monthly)

LOW
75,800
GBP
AVERAGE
155,000
GBP
HIGH
241,000
GBP
All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working as Physicist in United Kingdom typically earns around 155,000 GBP. Salaries range from 75,800 GBP (lowest) to 241,000 GBP (highest).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Physicist salaries in United Kingdom vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.



Physicist Pay Scale and Salaries in United Kingdom

Median and salary distribution United Kingdom Physicist yearly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
143,000 GBP or more
10% of people earn
127,000 to 143,000 GBP
20% of people earn
90,000 GBP or less
65% of people earn
90,000 to 127,000 GBP
Minimum Salary
75,800 GBP
Median
144,000 GBP
Maximum
241,000 GBP




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries for the position Physicist in United Kingdom range from 75,800 GBP (starting salary) to 241,000 GBP (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.

  • Median Salary

    With a median salary of 144,000 GBP, half of the professionals who work as Physicist in United Kingdom earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Physicist in United Kingdom earn less than 118,000 GBP, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 165,000 GBP while 25% earn more.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Physicist in United Kingdom compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 90,000 GBP to 127,000 GBP. About 20% of salaries are below the 90,000 GBP mark, while 10% fall within the range of 127,000 GBP to 143,000 GBP. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 143,000 GBP.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience / Physicist / United Kingdom

How do experience and age affect pay?

0 - 2 Years
89,900 GBP
2 - 5 Years+29%
116,000 GBP
5 - 10 Years+38%
159,000 GBP
10 - 15 Years+24%
198,000 GBP
15 - 20 Years+7%
212,000 GBP
20+ Years+7%
226,000 GBP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Salary comparison by years of experience yearly United Kingdom Physicist
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The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Physicist and this is what we found.


All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.

Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 89,900 GBP.

While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 116,000 GBP, 29% more than someone with less than two year's experience.

Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 159,000 GBP, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.

Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 198,000 GBP, 24% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.

If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 212,000 GBP, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.

Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 226,000 GBP, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.

On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary Comparison By Education / Physicist / United Kingdom

How do education levels affect salaries?

Displayed below is the average salary variance between different education levels of professionals working as Physicist.

Bachelor's Degree
106,000 GBP
Master's Degree+38%
145,000 GBP
PhD+64%
238,000 GBP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Salary comparison by education level yearly United Kingdom Physicist
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We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down salaries by education level for the position Physicist in order to make a comparison.


Level 1: Bachelor's Degree

Employees at this education level have an average salary of 106,000 GBP.


Level 2: Master's Degree

At this level, the average salary becomes 145,000 GBP, 38% more than the previous level.


Level 3: PhD

At this level, the average salary becomes 238,000 GBP, 64% more than the previous level.



Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?

A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in United Kingdom costs anywhere from 29,700 GBP to 89,100 GBP and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.

You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.

Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch to a higher-paying job. The numbers seem to support the theory. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.

If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.


Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers

Salary Comparison By Education Level
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Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Physicist / United Kingdom

Salary comparison by gender United Kingdom Physicist yearly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Physicist in United Kingdom, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 4%.

Male
158,000 GBP
Female-4%
151,000 GBP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Comparison By Gender in United Kingdom for all Careers

Salary comparison by gender yearly United Kingdom
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Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage / Physicist / United Kingdom

How much are annual salary increments in United Kingdom for individuals working as Physicist? How often do employees get salary raises?

Individuals working as Physicist in United Kingdom are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 14% every 16 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 15 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate United Kingdom Physicist
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

United Kingdom / All Professions

Annual Salary Increment Rate United Kingdom
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The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in United Kingdom is 7%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates / Physicist / United Kingdom

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate United Kingdom Physicist
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39% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 61% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
61%
No Bonus
39%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Average Hourly Wage / Physicist / United Kingdom


74 GBP per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for individuals working as Physicist in United Kingdom is 74 GBP.This is the rate they get paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Physicist in United Kingdom is 36 GBP. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Salary comparison with similar jobs

Job TitleAverage Salary
Science and Technical Services-100%
3D Lab Technologist67,200 GBP-57%
3D Printing Specialist67,500 GBP-56%
Algorithm Developer95,300 GBP-38%
Analytical Chemist135,000 GBP-13%
Anthropologist105,000 GBP-32%
Archeologist84,500 GBP-45%
Assistant Breeder44,500 GBP-71%
Astronomer163,000 GBP+5%
Atmospheric and Space Scientist128,000 GBP-17%
Behavior Analyst87,100 GBP-44%
Behavior Intervention Specialist98,900 GBP-36%
Behavior Specialist94,400 GBP-39%
Biochemist145,000 GBP-6%
Biofuels Processing Technician62,100 GBP-60%
Biofuels Production Manager103,000 GBP-33%
Biologist152,000 GBP-2%
Biomedical Laboratory Officer57,600 GBP-63%
Biomedical Scientist159,000 GBP+3%
Biophysicist150,000 GBP-3%
Chemical Engineer68,400 GBP-56%
Chemical Technologist66,000 GBP-57%
Chemist147,000 GBP-5%
Chief Robotics Integration Officer107,000 GBP-31%
Chief Technologist126,000 GBP-19%
Climate Change Analyst99,300 GBP-36%
Clinical Laboratory Scientist157,000 GBP+1%
Computer Scientist118,000 GBP-24%
Conservation Scientist123,000 GBP-21%
Data Science Specialist88,800 GBP-43%
Data Scientist116,000 GBP-25%
DNA Analyst147,000 GBP-5%
Ecologist113,000 GBP-27%
Economic Development Specialist117,000 GBP-24%
Flavourist48,800 GBP-68%
Food Scientist97,800 GBP-37%
Forensic Scientist119,000 GBP-23%
Formulation Technologist61,000 GBP-61%
Fraud Investigator70,700 GBP-54%
Genomics Scientist149,000 GBP-4%
Geographer84,700 GBP-45%
Geographic Information Systems Technician50,500 GBP-67%
Geological Data Technician52,800 GBP-66%
Geological Technician63,900 GBP-59%
Geologist121,000 GBP-22%
Geomatics Scientist118,000 GBP-24%
Geophysical Data Technician47,900 GBP-69%
Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist118,000 GBP-24%
Global Technical Lead151,000 GBP-2%
Hydrologist97,200 GBP-37%
Industrial Ecologist104,000 GBP-33%
Intelligence Analyst93,800 GBP-39%
Internet of Things (IoT) Architect74,200 GBP-52%
Internet of Things (IoT) Compliance Analyst79,500 GBP-49%
Internet of Things (IoT) Consultant87,300 GBP-44%
Internet of Things (IoT) Engineer75,100 GBP-51%
Internet of Things (IoT) Integration Specialist75,100 GBP-51%
Internet of Things (IoT) Logistics Analyst62,300 GBP-60%
Internet of Things (IoT) Security Analyst66,200 GBP-57%
Internet of Things (IoT) Specialist69,800 GBP-55%
Internet of Things (IoT) Technician54,900 GBP-65%
Knowledge Management Specialist77,200 GBP-50%
Lab Analyst63,300 GBP-59%
Lab Manager109,000 GBP-30%
Lab Technician47,300 GBP-69%
Laboratory Manager106,000 GBP-31%
Laboratory Researcher69,500 GBP-55%
Laboratory Technician44,400 GBP-71%
Life Sciences Analyst101,000 GBP-35%
Life Scientist120,000 GBP-22%
Marine Architect94,200 GBP-39%
Marine Biologist105,000 GBP-32%
Marine Superintendent62,900 GBP-59%
Materials Analyst62,100 GBP-60%
Materials Scientist117,000 GBP-24%
Mathematician116,000 GBP-25%
Medical Scientist158,000 GBP+2%
Metallurgist111,000 GBP-28%
Meteorologist103,000 GBP-33%
Microbiologist157,000 GBP+1%
Natural Language Processing Researcher96,800 GBP-37%
Natural Resource Specialist90,400 GBP-42%
Natural Resources Analyst91,000 GBP-41%
Natural Sciences Manager145,000 GBP-6%
Neurotechnology Specialist131,000 GBP-15%
Nuclear Engineer164,000 GBP+6%
Physical Scientist122,000 GBP-21%
Physicist155,000 GBP+0%
Political Scientist115,000 GBP-26%
Polygraph Examiner41,400 GBP-73%
Polysomnographic Technologist72,900 GBP-53%
Product Development Scientist123,000 GBP-21%
Quantitative Research Analyst97,800 GBP-37%
Quantitative Researcher101,000 GBP-35%
Quantum Algorithm Developer86,600 GBP-44%
Quantum Computing Engineer80,300 GBP-48%
Quantum Computing Ethics Officer78,000 GBP-50%
Quantum Computing Specialist83,100 GBP-46%
Radiation Protection Specialist83,800 GBP-46%
Refrigeration Technician34,500 GBP-78%
Research Scientist110,000 GBP-29%
Risk Safety Engineer66,300 GBP-57%
Robotics Architect92,000 GBP-41%
Scientific Photographer66,700 GBP-57%
Scientific Programmer97,300 GBP-37%
Scientist110,000 GBP-29%
Service Engineer65,500 GBP-58%
Service Technician43,800 GBP-72%
Social Science Research Assistant62,600 GBP-60%
Social Scientist119,000 GBP-23%
Sociologist107,000 GBP-31%
Soil Scientist92,400 GBP-40%
Statistical Analyst66,700 GBP-57%
Statistical Assistant50,100 GBP-68%
Statistician102,000 GBP-34%
Survey Analyst64,700 GBP-58%
Survey Researcher61,900 GBP-60%
Surveying and Mapping Technician39,200 GBP-75%
Team Leader90,000 GBP-42%
Technical Manager104,000 GBP-33%
Technical Officer44,100 GBP-72%
Technical Service Director139,000 GBP-10%
Technical Services Regulatory Affairs Specialist67,400 GBP-56%
Technical Services Research and Development Manager151,000 GBP-2%
Technical Services Research Associate75,200 GBP-51%
Technical Services Research Coordinator74,300 GBP-52%
Technician42,100 GBP-73%
Water Ecologist122,000 GBP-21%
Wearable Technology Developer77,900 GBP-50%
Wearables Specialist62,100 GBP-60%
Wildlife Biologist102,000 GBP-34%

Salary Comparison By City

CityAverage Salary
London173,000 GBP

Salary Comparison By State

StateAverage Salary
England291,000 GBP
Northern Ireland136,000 GBP
Scotland212,000 GBP
Wales147,000 GBP

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in United Kingdom is 4% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
69,700 GBP
Public Sector+4%
72,800 GBP
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for the job title Physicist in United Kingdom?

A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 144,000 GBP and 165,000 GBP. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary for a careers like Physicist in United Kingdom ranges from 75,800 GBP to 118,000 GBP. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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