Physical scientists salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£53,142
Understanding Physical scientists pay in the UK
The typical physical scientists in the UK earns a median salary of £53,142 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
Where you work changes the picture: physical scientists pay ranges from £27,594 in North West up to £63,171 in South East, a difference of £35,577 (129%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see physical scientists pay in South East or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
South East is the highest-paying region for physical scientists at £63,171 — 19% above the UK median. North West is lowest at £27,594.
UK median £53,142
| Region | Median payUK median £53,142 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East | £63,171 | £63,171 | £61,079 | +19% |
| London | £52,873 | £52,873 | £56,954 | -1% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £44,213 | £44,213 | £45,954 | -17% |
| East of England | £41,128 | £41,128 | £45,227 | -23% |
| South West | £37,443 | £37,443 | £39,423 | -30% |
| East Midlands | £32,575 | £32,575 | £36,701 | -39% |
| West Midlands | £29,809 | £29,809 | £32,606 | -44% |
| North West | £27,594 | £27,594 | £29,790 | -48% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| South East £63,171 | £63,171Mean £61,079 | +19% |
| London £52,873 | £52,873Mean £56,954 | -1% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £44,213 | £44,213Mean £45,954 | -17% |
| East of England £41,128 | £41,128Mean £45,227 | -23% |
| South West £37,443 | £37,443Mean £39,423 | -30% |
| East Midlands £32,575 | £32,575Mean £36,701 | -39% |
| West Midlands £29,809 | £29,809Mean £32,606 | -44% |
| North West £27,594 | £27,594Mean £29,790 | -48% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£53,142); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local physical scientists pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow physical scientists pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for physical scientists by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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