Top 5 Highest Paying Science Jobs in the UK
All these statistics have been sourced from the National Careers Service. The first salary is for entry-level roles and the second one is for those in senior positions.
Surgeon
£44,000-£94,000
Surgeons are doctors who carry out surgeries and other medical procedures on patients. They can specialise in a range of fields, including cardiology (heart and lungs), paediatric (those under 19) and plastic (cosmetic or reconstructive surgery). In addition to carrying out surgeries, surgeons often meet the patient beforehand to explain the recovery process and liaise with GPs.
Becoming a surgeon involves a number of steps. After completing a medical degree, you’ll complete a two year-foundation programme of general training and two years core surgical training. Once you’ve decided on a speciality, you’ll complete up to six years specialist training.
Data scientist
£32,000-£82,000
Data scientists utilise a variety of computer software (from Python to artificial intelligence), to analyse and interpret large quantities of data. The results of this data is then used to help organisations improve their efficiency and overall output. Data scientists are employed in a variety of sectors, including government, ecommerce and healthcare.
There’s a variety of ways to become a data scientist. There’s a range of apprenticeships on offer, or you can complete an undergraduate degree or conversion course in a relevant subject (STEM, psychology).
Pharmacist
£35,000-£69,000
Pharmacists work in pharmacies, hospitals or GP practices to dispense medicine to the general population. They ensure that everyone gets the right prescription, and offer advice on correct dosages and risks associated with specific medicines.
All pharmacists in the UK need to have a master’s of pharmacy (MPharm.) This takes four years. Afterwards, you’ll complete a pharmacy foundation training scheme to gain more practical experience.
Alternatively, you can complete a pharmacy foundation degree and secure a job as a pharmacy assistant or technician. Then, you could apply to complete the MPharm, starting in your second year.
Chemical engineer
£30,000-£65,000
Chemical engineers transform raw materials into innovative items (i.e fabric from cotton). When doing so, they’ll need to take into consideration health and safety concerns (how to dispose of waste materials safely) and how to ensure production is as cost-effective as possible. Chemical engineers can either focus on research and development (deciding how to produce an item) or manufacturing (producing the actual time).
You can become a chemical engineer through an entry-level role as a chemical engineering technician (while completing on-the-job training), completing an apprenticeship in the field or studying for a degree or conversion course in chemical engineering.
Medical physicist
£35,000-£58,000
Medical physicists apply their understanding of physics theories to improve health outcomes. They design, develop and test new ways to diagnose and treat patients. The aim is to create tests and treatments that are less invasive and can lead to diseases being noticed and treated faster.
Aspiring medical physicists can attend university or complete an apprenticeship. The university route requires you to study a degree with a high level of physics, before completing the three-year NHS Scientist Training Programme. The apprenticeship route involves completing the Healthcare Science Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which combines a broad overview of science with a specialisation in medical physics.
Tips for maximising earning potential
There’s a number of factors that can boost your salary, such as living in a high cost of living area, working for a large, well-established company or having more experience in the sector. Completing an apprenticeship is a great way to avoid having to pay for student debt, as all apprentices receive paid work experience and a fully funded qualification. New science apprenticeships are being developed all the time; the government recently announced the development of a Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship for aspiring doctors and surgeons.
Remember that your salary is never set in stone. At work, try to take on leadership roles, contribute to team meetings and generally showcase your drive and initiative. The STEM industry is also evolving rapidly, with artificial intelligence, green energy and cybersecurity three sectors seeing a lot of interest. Thus, attending industry events or even taking online qualifications in sectors like these is key to showing your employer that you are committed to professional development. Initiative like this is key to showing the unique value you bring to your employer, which you can then leverage when asking for a raise.