Pay and Reward Report 2023
Our 2023 Pay and Reward Survey is ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ 45th report in a series of remuneration surveys of members carried out by ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ Royal Society of Chemistry since 1919. ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ survey is carried out every two years and provides a highly useful resource for ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ RSC, our members, and ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ wider community.
ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ 2023 survey received 4,833 responses. It collected data about:
- salaries and benefits
- pay parity issues
- impact of and challenges related to ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ increased cost of living
- ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ state of well-being and belonging in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences community
- information about what is important to chemical scientists, to support employer recruitment and retention plans
ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ survey results will inform policy decisions including new major pieces of research, drive progress within our community, and enable ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ RSC to support our members on an individual level better.
If you have any questions, please contact ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ Career Management team using this contact form.
Find out how to access ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ report if you’re not a member
Explore ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ Pay and Reward Report 2023
2023 survey findings
ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ median salary from all employed respondents was £50,000, up from £46,700 in 2021. But with inflation and ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ rising cost of living, ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ real-term impact is being felt: 40% said ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØir financial situation is worse than it was a year ago.
Pay disparities remain, across multiple demographics. Women are paid less than men and disabled people are paid less than non-disabled people. For UK respondents, people from minoritised racial groups are paid less than white people.

To thrive and overcome new challenges, ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences must attract, develop and retain a diverse range of people. We are working hard to support our community and highlight examples in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ report. ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ Pay and Reward survey data will feed into our evidence-driven approach to drive action on inclusive access and progression within ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences.
Women, disabled people, those from minoritised racial backgrounds, LGBT+ people and people with caring responsibilities continue to experience discrimination and bias. In addition to pay disparities, inequalities are shown to impact people’s wellbeing, belonging, career progression and skills development.
ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ top skills that chemical scientists are looking to develop have stayed consistent: leadership and networking. Strategic planning is also in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ top three this year. People who are earlier in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØir careers are more likely to say that developing specialist digital skills (such as AI and machine learning) is a priority, compared to those at more established career stages.
Just 18% of respondents received a pay rise in line with or above inflation in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ last 12 months. ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ increased cost of living is impacting wellbeing across ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences, with women and younger people significantly more likely to report negative wellbeing.
If you are struggling with ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ cost of living, ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ Chemists’ Community Fund is here for you. Our friendly, expert team can give you support tailored to your situation, in complete confidence.


Pay and reward through ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ ages
Members can delve into our digital archives to find out how employment in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences has changed over ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ last 100 years. What did a chemical scientist earn in 1919? What were ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ most lucrative industries to work in? When was ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ best time to be a chemist?
Get free access to ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ report – join us
You can purchase and download ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ report for £250 - please email our Career Management team. Alternatively, get free access as part of a comprehensive package of benefits when you become a Royal Society of Chemistry member. Join for as little as £20.
As a Royal Society of Chemistry member, you’ll become part of a diverse global community of over 50,000 people who are working to create a better world. We’ll give you resources, support and connections to help you stay at ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ forefront of your profession.
When you become a member, you can help us influence challenges faced in ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ environment, education systems, inclusion and diversity, and oÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØr areas of chemical science.
Wherever you are in your relationship with ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ chemical sciences, ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØre’s a membership option to suit you.
To purchase ÀÖÌìÌÃappÏÂÔØ report, please contact our Career Management team
Career management team
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 1223 432342
- Email:
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