Computer Science Salary: Your 2025 Guide

Now can be the right time to start or advance your career in computer science. The computer and information technology-related industry has grown 42 percent since 2018 to become a one trillion dollar industry in the UK [1]. With this in mind, let’s look at computer scientists' salaries and the various factors that can influence them, such as education level, location, and certifications.

What does a computer scientist do?

Computer scientists are experts in working with computers and technology. They study how data is processed, stored, and communicated to apply it to software and programmes. 

What jobs are available for a computer scientist?

Computer scientists work as computer hardware engineers in computer programming, research, analytics, and information security, to name a few. Jobs in the computer science field cover a vast spectrum, as technology accounts for such a large part of our lives.

Computer scientists automate systems, create the processes in our smartphones, and fly us to the moon—given these accomplishments, the possibilities are nearly endless. Since computers are used in almost every business, typical employers are information technology (IT) service providers. Opportunities are available in IT departments in major organisations in various sectors, such as financial services, aerospace and defence, and manufacturing. 

How much do computer science professionals make?

According to Glassdoor, the median salary of a computer scientist is £57,324, with a range of £32,000 up to £57,000 [2]. Here are some other roles and median salaries that computer scientists may work in:

• Computer programmers: £42,037

• Database architects: £65,225 

• Computer systems analysts: £37,707

• Information security: £62,488

• Computer network technicians: £44,436 

• Computer and information systems managers: £49,470

Factors affecting salary

Factors such as your industry experience, training, and location will influence a computer scientist's salary. Consider looking into the following to maximise your earnings:

Education

A degree in computer science or a related field tends to be a prerequisite for most positions and may optimise your chances of getting hired. However, a computer science degree is not always required to become a computer scientist. In a very fast-paced, evolving discipline, experience is valued highly, keeping up with trends and engaging in self-directed learning. A degree will generally put you in a better place to gain a more technical or specialist role.

Certifications

Additional certifications in computer science can help you enter specialist positions, which often come with a higher earning potential. You can pursue several certifications, including vendor-specific ones, such as Microsoft and Cisco, which companies who use these products might ask for. Another option is vendor-neutral certificates, such as those offered by CompTIA and ISC. Vendor-neutral certifications can help you progress your career across companies rather than being limited to a particular vendor. 

To maximise your salary in computer science without a degree, you may consider an entry-level certificate as a starting point.

Level of experience

Your experience level may impact your salary potential. Salaries in this field tend to increase with the years you’ve been a computer scientist and as you rise to more senior positions. The following is an average breakdown, according to PayScale [3]:

• Early Career: £41,000 

• Mid Career £63,000

• Late Career: £92,000

Type of position

Many industries are looking to recruit computer scientists and other computer science professionals. Any company with a tech department will likely need a computer scientist, so where you work is very flexible. However, not all industries are equal when it comes to salary.

The following are median earnings within the UK's digital sector as of April 2023, according to Statista [4]: 

• Computer programming, consultancy, and related services: £42,060

• Telecommunications: £40,980

• Software publishing: £40,780

• Film, TV, video, radio, and music: £36,270

• Wholesale of computers and electronics: £35,370

• Repair of computers and communication equipment: £33,830

• Information services activities: £33,240

• Publishing (excluding translation and interpretation activities): £32,590

• Manufacturing of electronics and computers: £30,630

Company

Computer science salaries vary from employer to employer. This can be due to the industry and size of the company, as well as its area of expertise. Large tech companies, such as Adobe, are among the highest-paying employers, with an average salary of £118,000, while Google pays an average of $105,500 [5].  

Smaller firms with lower budgets tend to have wages that reflect it. A small company with a smaller budget will prioritise positions most important to their organisation. Rather than a whole IT department, a smaller company may have a CTO with multiple roles until it has the budget to recruit more people.

Location

In many industries, where you live and work can impact your earnings. Computer science salaries in the UK are highest in London, where the salary is 25.37 percent above the national average.[5]

For average salaries, it’s important to consider the cost of living, as higher salaries often compensate for higher living costs.

In 2019, remote computer science roles started to increase, with 86 percent of IT developers working remotely in some way [6]. Not only does this mean you have more opportunities available, but some of the highest-paid jobs in computer science are remote. This is because more senior roles come with the autonomy of working outside of the office. 

Job title variations and salary

Computer science roles and salaries are varied since they are prevalent across several industries and specialities. Here is a breakdown of average salaries for different types of computer science-related roles:

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of May 2024.

• Software architect: £77,664

• Dev ops engineer: £46,638

• Software engineer: £53,181

• Mobile application developer: £49,511

• Cybersecurity analyst: £41,236

Next steps

To start as a computer scientist, explore a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science offered on Coursera. Consider the Bachelor of Science from the University of London to help put you on the path to higher-paid opportunities.

If you have no experience in the field, you can consider taking an entry-level Course like Introduction to Computer Science and Programming as a starting point.