Social and humanities scientists salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£38,591
Understanding Social and humanities scientists pay in the UK
The typical social and humanities scientists in the UK earns a median salary of £38,591 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.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £40,614. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical social and humanities scientists actually takes home.
Where you work changes the picture: social and humanities scientists pay ranges from £27,814 in South East up to £44,415 in London, a difference of £16,601 (60%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see social and humanities scientists pay in London or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
London is the highest-paying region for social and humanities scientists at £44,415 — 15% above the UK median. South East is lowest at £27,814.
UK median £38,591
| Region | Median payUK median £38,591 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £44,415 | £44,415 | £47,779 | +15% |
| Scotland | £33,003 | £33,003 | £34,157 | -14% |
| South West | £32,610 | £32,610 | £35,704 | -15% |
| North East | £30,156 | £30,156 | £33,986 | -22% |
| East of England | £28,838 | £28,838 | £30,778 | -25% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £28,730 | £28,730 | £31,863 | -26% |
| South East | £27,814 | £27,814 | £34,897 | -28% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| London £44,415 | £44,415Mean £47,779 | +15% |
| Scotland £33,003 | £33,003Mean £34,157 | -14% |
| South West £32,610 | £32,610Mean £35,704 | -15% |
| North East £30,156 | £30,156Mean £33,986 | -22% |
| East of England £28,838 | £28,838Mean £30,778 | -25% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £28,730 | £28,730Mean £31,863 | -26% |
| South East £27,814 | £27,814Mean £34,897 | -28% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£38,591); ‘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 social and humanities scientists pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow social and humanities scientists pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for social and humanities scientists by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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