Physicist Average Salary in United Kingdom 2024
How much money does a person working as Physicist make in United Kingdom?
LOW
75,800
GBP AVERAGE
155,000
GBP HIGH
241,000
GBP
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
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
143,000 GBP or more
127,000 to 143,000 GBP
90,000 GBP or less
90,000 to 127,000 GBP
 75,800 GBP |
144,000 GBP |
241,000 GBP |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
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 |
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.
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.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
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 |
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 and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Physicist / United Kingdom
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 |
Salary Comparison By Gender in United Kingdom for all Careers
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.
United Kingdom / All Professions
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
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
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?
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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 BonusesThe most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, 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 BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese 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 Generators | Supporting 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: | Example: |
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.
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 hourThe 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.
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 Title | Average Salary |
| Science and Technical Services |  -100% | |
| 3D Lab Technologist | 67,200 GBP | -57% |
| 3D Printing Specialist | 67,500 GBP | -56% |
| Algorithm Developer | 95,300 GBP | -38% |
| Analytical Chemist | 135,000 GBP | -13% |
| Anthropologist | 105,000 GBP | -32% |
| Archeologist | 84,500 GBP | -45% |
| Assistant Breeder | 44,500 GBP | -71% |
| Astronomer | 163,000 GBP |  +5% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | 128,000 GBP | -17% |
| Behavior Analyst | 87,100 GBP | -44% |
| Behavior Intervention Specialist | 98,900 GBP | -36% |
| Behavior Specialist | 94,400 GBP | -39% |
| Biochemist | 145,000 GBP | -6% |
| Biofuels Processing Technician | 62,100 GBP | -60% |
| Biofuels Production Manager | 103,000 GBP | -33% |
| Biologist | 152,000 GBP | -2% |
| Biomedical Laboratory Officer | 57,600 GBP | -63% |
| Biomedical Scientist | 159,000 GBP | +3% |
| Biophysicist | 150,000 GBP | -3% |
| Chemical Engineer | 68,400 GBP | -56% |
| Chemical Technologist | 66,000 GBP | -57% |
| Chemist | 147,000 GBP | -5% |
| Chief Robotics Integration Officer | 107,000 GBP | -31% |
| Chief Technologist | 126,000 GBP | -19% |
| Climate Change Analyst | 99,300 GBP | -36% |
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | 157,000 GBP | +1% |
| Computer Scientist | 118,000 GBP | -24% |
| Conservation Scientist | 123,000 GBP | -21% |
| Data Science Specialist | 88,800 GBP | -43% |
| Data Scientist | 116,000 GBP | -25% |
| DNA Analyst | 147,000 GBP | -5% |
| Ecologist | 113,000 GBP | -27% |
| Economic Development Specialist | 117,000 GBP | -24% |
| Flavourist | 48,800 GBP | -68% |
| Food Scientist | 97,800 GBP | -37% |
| Forensic Scientist | 119,000 GBP | -23% |
| Formulation Technologist | 61,000 GBP | -61% |
| Fraud Investigator | 70,700 GBP | -54% |
| Genomics Scientist | 149,000 GBP | -4% |
| Geographer | 84,700 GBP | -45% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technician | 50,500 GBP | -67% |
| Geological Data Technician | 52,800 GBP | -66% |
| Geological Technician | 63,900 GBP | -59% |
| Geologist | 121,000 GBP | -22% |
| Geomatics Scientist | 118,000 GBP | -24% |
| Geophysical Data Technician | 47,900 GBP | -69% |
| Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist | 118,000 GBP | -24% |
| Global Technical Lead | 151,000 GBP | -2% |
| Hydrologist | 97,200 GBP | -37% |
| Industrial Ecologist | 104,000 GBP | -33% |
| Intelligence Analyst | 93,800 GBP | -39% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Architect | 74,200 GBP | -52% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Compliance Analyst | 79,500 GBP | -49% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Consultant | 87,300 GBP | -44% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Engineer | 75,100 GBP | -51% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Integration Specialist | 75,100 GBP | -51% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Logistics Analyst | 62,300 GBP | -60% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Security Analyst | 66,200 GBP | -57% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Specialist | 69,800 GBP | -55% |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Technician | 54,900 GBP | -65% |
| Knowledge Management Specialist | 77,200 GBP | -50% |
| Lab Analyst | 63,300 GBP | -59% |
| Lab Manager | 109,000 GBP | -30% |
| Lab Technician | 47,300 GBP | -69% |
| Laboratory Manager | 106,000 GBP | -31% |
| Laboratory Researcher | 69,500 GBP | -55% |
| Laboratory Technician | 44,400 GBP | -71% |
| Life Sciences Analyst | 101,000 GBP | -35% |
| Life Scientist | 120,000 GBP | -22% |
| Marine Architect | 94,200 GBP | -39% |
| Marine Biologist | 105,000 GBP | -32% |
| Marine Superintendent | 62,900 GBP | -59% |
| Materials Analyst | 62,100 GBP | -60% |
| Materials Scientist | 117,000 GBP | -24% |
| Mathematician | 116,000 GBP | -25% |
| Medical Scientist | 158,000 GBP | +2% |
| Metallurgist | 111,000 GBP | -28% |
| Meteorologist | 103,000 GBP | -33% |
| Microbiologist | 157,000 GBP | +1% |
| Natural Language Processing Researcher | 96,800 GBP | -37% |
| Natural Resource Specialist | 90,400 GBP | -42% |
| Natural Resources Analyst | 91,000 GBP | -41% |
| Natural Sciences Manager | 145,000 GBP | -6% |
| Neurotechnology Specialist | 131,000 GBP | -15% |
| Nuclear Engineer | 164,000 GBP | +6% |
| Physical Scientist | 122,000 GBP | -21% |
| Physicist | 155,000 GBP | +0% |
| Political Scientist | 115,000 GBP | -26% |
| Polygraph Examiner | 41,400 GBP | -73% |
| Polysomnographic Technologist | 72,900 GBP | -53% |
| Product Development Scientist | 123,000 GBP | -21% |
| Quantitative Research Analyst | 97,800 GBP | -37% |
| Quantitative Researcher | 101,000 GBP | -35% |
| Quantum Algorithm Developer | 86,600 GBP | -44% |
| Quantum Computing Engineer | 80,300 GBP | -48% |
| Quantum Computing Ethics Officer | 78,000 GBP | -50% |
| Quantum Computing Specialist | 83,100 GBP | -46% |
| Radiation Protection Specialist | 83,800 GBP | -46% |
| Refrigeration Technician | 34,500 GBP | -78% |
| Research Scientist | 110,000 GBP | -29% |
| Risk Safety Engineer | 66,300 GBP | -57% |
| Robotics Architect | 92,000 GBP | -41% |
| Scientific Photographer | 66,700 GBP | -57% |
| Scientific Programmer | 97,300 GBP | -37% |
| Scientist | 110,000 GBP | -29% |
| Service Engineer | 65,500 GBP | -58% |
| Service Technician | 43,800 GBP | -72% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | 62,600 GBP | -60% |
| Social Scientist | 119,000 GBP | -23% |
| Sociologist | 107,000 GBP | -31% |
| Soil Scientist | 92,400 GBP | -40% |
| Statistical Analyst | 66,700 GBP | -57% |
| Statistical Assistant | 50,100 GBP | -68% |
| Statistician | 102,000 GBP | -34% |
| Survey Analyst | 64,700 GBP | -58% |
| Survey Researcher | 61,900 GBP | -60% |
| Surveying and Mapping Technician | 39,200 GBP | -75% |
| Team Leader | 90,000 GBP | -42% |
| Technical Manager | 104,000 GBP | -33% |
| Technical Officer | 44,100 GBP | -72% |
| Technical Service Director | 139,000 GBP | -10% |
| Technical Services Regulatory Affairs Specialist | 67,400 GBP | -56% |
| Technical Services Research and Development Manager | 151,000 GBP | -2% |
| Technical Services Research Associate | 75,200 GBP | -51% |
| Technical Services Research Coordinator | 74,300 GBP | -52% |
| Technician | 42,100 GBP | -73% |
| Water Ecologist | 122,000 GBP | -21% |
| Wearable Technology Developer | 77,900 GBP | -50% |
| Wearables Specialist | 62,100 GBP | -60% |
| Wildlife Biologist | 102,000 GBP | -34% |
Salary Comparison By State
| State | Average Salary |
| England | 291,000 GBP |
| Northern Ireland | 136,000 GBP |
| Scotland | 212,000 GBP |
| Wales | 147,000 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 |
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
