Chemist Salaries in United Kingdom

The average salary for a Chemist is £33,417 per year in United Kingdom. Salaries estimates are based on 518 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Chemist employees in United Kingdom.

The highest salary for a Chemist in United Kingdom is £41,569 per year.

The lowest salary for a Chemist in United Kingdom is £27,079 per year.

Chemists are generally paid salaries on a par with those of other science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) researchers. Chemists can improve their earnings through promotion into more senior roles and/or securing new grants. They might be accepted after having been published repeatedly in top scientific and medical journals. Some chemists explore career opportunities worldwide, working for pharmaceutical companies, nanotechnology companies, or other growing industries. Chemists can increase their earning potential and reputation by becoming a Chartered Chemist (CC).

To earn more money from your career as a chemist, consider a postgraduate qualification to increase your earning potential such as a master's degree or PhD. This can open up opportunities to teach, conduct research, and work with research-orientated teams, providing diverse career prospects.

To improve your marketable skills, focus on developing your proficiency in various procedures, analytical methods, lab equipment, handling test results, developing projects, and working with materials, in addition to your high-level chemistry knowledge. Demonstrating your skills through research projects and teaching can also enhance your CV and help increase your earning potential.

Consider joining the Royal Society of Chemistry or the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Membership can provide access to networking opportunities, professional development resources, and other benefits to help you advance in your career and increase your earnings over time.

How do you negotiate a higher salary in your job as a chemist ? By demonstrating your value. Whether you've received your first job offer or your 50th, chemists vary widely in their levels of knowledge, experience, and research. Having just one extra research opportunity, internship, or part-time role on your CV provides more negotiating power compared to similar candidates at the same level. If the organisation has a budget for new recruits, your extra experience could land you a pay rise. Negotiate in the 10-15% range, demonstrating with evidence why you deserve the extra money. Tackled a research project? Helped develop a successful product? Showcase what you've accomplished to build your case.

About 59.11% of Chemist professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional £1,565 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Chemist in United Kingdom as a good salary.

Chemist professionals in United Kingdom have a wide total pay range, between £22,518 and £51,079 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of £33,417 following the average career path of a Chemist.