In the UK, the salary of PhDs, Postdocs, and Professors (Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, and Professors) varies significantly based on several factors, including the institution, the location, and years of experience. In this post, we will discuss the range of salaries for each grade and the differences between different universities (You can see a similar post about salary in Switzerland here). In the UK, employees are subject to various salary deductions, including taxes, National Insurance contributions, and other benefits. Income tax is calculated on a progressive scale, meaning that the more an individual earns, the higher percentage of their income they will pay in taxes. As of the 2022-23 tax year, the personal allowance for income tax is £12,570, meaning that any earnings above this amount will be taxed. National Insurance contributions are also deducted from an employee’s salary, with the amount varying depending on the individual’s earnings. In addition, many employees in the UK also have deductions for workplace pensions, health insurance, and other benefits. It’s important for employees to be aware of these deductions and their impact on their overall take-home pay.
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—You can find out more about the highest-paying PhD degrees in this post.
PhD Students Salaries in the UK
PhD salaries are very different from academic salaries in the UK. It varies depending on the funding source, whether it is through scholarships, research grants, or studentships. According to the latest data from FindaPhD, PhD students in the UK can earn between £17,000 and £20,000 per year depending on their funding source. In most cases, PhD students are paid Stipend, not a salary so that is tax-free. However, some PhD students may earn more than this, particularly if they are funded by research councils or industry.
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Postdoc Salaries in the UK
The salary of postdocs varies depending on the level of experience and the nature of their research. According to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), postdoctoral research assistants can earn between £26,715 to £33,199 per annum, depending on their level of experience. In some cases, postdocs may earn more if they are awarded a fellowship or if they are funded by industry.
Lecturer Salaries in the UK (Assistant Professor)
Lecturers are usually early-career academics who have completed their PhD and are at the beginning of their academic careers. According to the latest data from the University and College Union (UCU), the starting salary for a lecturer in the UK is between £33,797 and £41,526 per annum, depending on the institution and location. In top Universities, the upper end of the pay grade of Lecturers (Assistant Professors) can reach £53,000 a year.
Senior Lecturer Salaries (Associate Professor) in the UK
Senior Lecturers are academics who have several years of experience as lecturers and have shown excellence in teaching and research. According to the UCU, the starting salary for a Senior Lecturer in the UK is between £43,267 and £54,765 per annum, depending on the institution and location. Similar to the lectureships, the upper end of the salary can go much higher than that and could reach £64,000 per annum in top-ranked institutions.
Professor Salaries in the UK
Professors are the most senior academics in universities, and they are usually responsible for leading research projects, teaching, and mentoring junior colleagues. The starting salary for a professor in the UK is typically higher than that of a Senior Lecturer. According to the UCU, the starting salary for a Professor in the UK is between £60,905 and £69,440 per annum, depending on the institution and location. Note that the professorships are generally in three payscales. The number mentioned here is the lower grade but it can go up to £100,000 per annum. Additionally, if the professors are hired in a top executive managerial position, that number can go to a few hundred thousand pounds a year (very competitive).
Differences Between Universities
Salaries for each grade can vary significantly between different universities in the UK. For example, according to the UCU, the starting salary for a lecturer in London can be up to £6,000 higher than in other parts of the UK. Similarly, the starting salary for a Professor in London can be up to £15,000 higher than in other parts of the UK. As outlined above, another important factor is the regulation of the host institutions. Some top-ranked British institutions pay their staff much higher rates than the average number mentioned in this post.
Academic Salary at the University of Oxford
The salary for Assistant Professors (Grade 8) ranges from £41,526 to £49,553 per annum. For Associate Professors (Grade 9), the salary ranges from £52,559 to £63,078 per annum. Finally, for Professors (Grade 10), the salary ranges from £65,362 to £157,277 per annum. Details can be found on the home page of the University of Oxford.
Academic Salary at the University of Cambridge
The salary for Assistant Professors (Grade 9) ranges from £44,414 to £63,059 per annum. For Associate Professors (Grade 10), the salary ranges from £59, 450 to £68,891 per annum. Finally, for Professors (Grade 11), the salary ranges from £66,890 to £199,323 per annum. You can find the detailed Pascale at the University of Cambridge on their home page.
Academic Salary at Imperial College London
The salary for Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professors) ranges from £62,768 to £65,484 per annum. For Reader (Associate Professors), the salary ranges from £73,806 per annum. Finally, for Professors, the minimum salary is £84,491 per annum. You can find details on the webpage of ICL.
The numbers mentioned above are all before-tax salaries or Gross salaries. You can calculate the take-home salary using this calculator. Note that the typical pension contribution for academics in the UK is 9% but that is 0% for PhD students.