Skip to content
SOC 2115 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Social and humanities scientists Salary

Median salary £38,591 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £39,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For social and humanities scientists, £39,899 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Social and humanities scientists conduct systematic research, analysis and investigation within their area of expertise. They design studies, collect and analyse data, interpret findings and communicate results to inform decision-making, advance knowledge or develop new products and services.

Key responsibilities

  • Designing and conducting research or analytical studies
  • Collecting, processing and analysing data
  • Interpreting results and drawing evidence-based conclusions
  • Writing reports, papers and presenting findings
  • Maintaining laboratory, equipment or data systems

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in a relevant scientific or analytical discipline. Research positions often require a masters or PhD. Professional registration or chartership may be required depending on the field.

Career outlook

Demand varies by specialisation. Life sciences, data science and environmental research are growth areas. Funding availability influences academic research positions.

Key skills

Research methodology Data analysis Critical thinking Scientific writing Technical expertise

Common industries

  • Research institutions
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Government
  • Technology
  • Environmental services

Data coverage

SOC code 2115
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 11,000

Median Salary

£38,591

Mean Salary

£40,614

Jobs (000s)

11k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £28kMedian: £39kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£28,393

0-2 years

Mid Level

£28,393

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +27.8%Real growth: -7.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: -0.6%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£38,591

Full-time Only

£39,899

Full-time premium: +£1,308

Social and humanities scientists salary: common questions

How much do social and humanities scientists earn in the UK?
Social and humanities scientists earn a median of £39,899 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).
Is £39,899 a good salary in the UK?
For social and humanities scientists, £39,899 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average.
What is the starting salary for social and humanities scientists?
Entry-level social and humanities scientists typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £28,393, though this varies by employer and region.
Have social and humanities scientists salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median social and humanities scientists pay has risen from £31,205 to £39,899 — +28% in cash terms, or -7.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.
Is there a gender pay gap for social and humanities scientists?
Male social and humanities scientists earn a median £38,280 and female social and humanities scientists £38,524 — a gap of +1.0% in 2025 in women’s favour.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).