Understanding Ecologist Salary in the UK: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay and Hours Worked

If you are considering a career as an ecologist or are already working in the field, knowing what you can expect to earn is essential. Ecologist salary data in the UK comes from several sources, each with a slightly different focus. This article brings together the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the CIEEM State of the Profession Survey, and Skills England to help you understand typical pay, how hourly rates convert to annual salary, and how part-time or full-time hours affect your earnings.

What the Data Says About Ecologist Pay

The most authoritative source is the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For April 2025, the median gross annual earnings for all full-time employees in the UK was £39,039, with median weekly earnings of £766.60. However, ecologists fall under specific occupational categories. ONS ASHE provisional data for October 2024 shows a mean annual salary of £48,090 for natural and social science professionals (which includes ecologists), and a mean of £40,518 for conservation and environment professionals.

The CIEEM State of the Profession Survey 2025, which surveyed members and non-members working in ecology and environmental management, reports a mean full-time equivalent salary of £45,190 across all employment sectors (excluding self-employed). This is a significant increase from the 2022 mean of £35,680. The survey also notes that 86% of respondents in an unchanged role saw a salary increase over the past three years, though most increases were under 10%.

Skills England’s occupational map gives a median salary for an ecologist or ecological scientist of £36,431 per year. This figure is based on a broader dataset and may reflect entry-level or lower-grade roles.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

To compare hourly pay with annual salary, use the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time ecologist working a standard 37.5-hour week, the calculation is:

• £20 per hour → £20 × 37.5 × 52 = £39,000 per year
• £25 per hour → £25 × 37.5 × 52 = £48,750 per year

If you work part-time, simply replace 37.5 with your actual weekly hours. For example, a part-time ecologist working 25 hours per week at £20 per hour would earn about £26,000 per year.

Use our Hourly to Salary calculator to quickly convert your own rate. Remember that this method assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Actual pay may differ due to holiday pay methods, London weighting, or overtime rules.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Considerations

The CIEEM survey reveals that two-thirds of part-time ecologists work between 20 and 30 hours per week. Nearly 75% of female part-time workers are in the 20–30 hour bracket, compared to just under 50% of males. The full-time equivalent salaries for part-time workers show a similar overall pattern to full-time workers, but with proportionally fewer respondents in the lower salary bands. This suggests that many part-time ecologists have progressed in their careers before reducing hours.

Full-time ecologists (working more than 30 paid hours per week, or 25 for teaching roles) typically earn higher gross annual salaries. However, the hourly rate may be similar. Always compare roles on an hourly basis to get a fair picture.

Overtime and Additional Pay

Ecology is a hard-working sector. The CIEEM survey found that 60% of permanent employees regularly work in excess of their contracted hours, though this has dropped from 65% in 2022. Overtime payments are the next most common form of recompense after time off in lieu (TOIL). Some employers also offer bonuses or dividends based on company financial performance. During the main ecological survey season (April to October), extra hours are particularly common.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

While the data above covers the UK as a whole, salaries in London and the South East are often higher due to London weighting. The ONS ASHE data includes regional breakdowns, but specific ecologist figures by region are not provided in the search results. If you are job hunting in London, expect a premium on the base salary.

National Living Wage Context

For context, the National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over in April 2025 was £12.21 per hour. At 37.5 hours per week, that equates to roughly £23,809 per year. Ecologist salaries are well above this minimum, but it is a useful benchmark for lower-paid roles or traineeships.

How to Use This Information

When evaluating a job offer or negotiating a raise, consider the following:

• Check the hours assumption: Is the role full-time (30+ hours) or part-time? What are the contracted hours?
• Look at the hourly rate: Annual salary can be misleading if hours vary. Convert to an hourly figure for comparison.
• Factor in overtime: If you regularly work extra hours, ensure you are compensated fairly.
• Consider London weighting: If the role is in London, expect a higher salary.

For more detailed salary benchmarks, visit our salary data page, which aggregates official statistics and survey results.

Caveats

All salary figures come with caveats. ASHE estimates are for employee jobs only (not self-employed) and annual figures are for those who have been in the job for at least a year. The CIEEM survey is based on a self-selected sample of members and non-members, so it may overrepresent certain roles or sectors. Always use multiple sources and check your own contract for precise terms.

Understanding your ecologist salary is about more than just the headline number. By considering hours, overtime, and regional variations, you can make informed career decisions. Use our Hourly to Salary tool to run your own calculations.