Data Analyst & Data Science Recruitment Specialists in the UK
Hiring high-calibre data analysts or data scientists has become increasingly competitive. As a leading data analyst and data science recruitment agency, Robert Walters connects organisations across the UK with proven permanent, contract and interim professionals who can turn data into commercial outcomes. From scaling analytics teams to appointing senior data leaders, our recruiters help you secure the expertise you need to move faster.
Unlock data talent that accelerates your business performance
Data-driven growth depends on having the right people in place. Robert Walters partners with organisations of all sizes (from high-growth scale-ups through to global enterprises) to deliver specialist data & analytics recruitment solutions.
Our UK consultants combine deep market insight with extensive and established networks of data professionals to help you hire confidently and quickly.
Data science & data analytics roles we recruit for
From our UK offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Milton Keynes, Robert Walters recruits data professionals across all industries (including financial services, technology, retail, consulting, healthcare, public sector, manufacturing and more).
We hire data talent for permanent, temporary and interim requirements – from analyst level through to C-suite level data roles. Data positions we recruit for include:
- Chief Data Officer / Chief Data Scientist
- VP / Director of Data
- Head of Data Analytics / Data Engineering
- Data Science Manager / Lead
- Data Scientist
- MLOps / DataOps Engineer
- Data Engineer
- Data Architect
- Data Analyst
Why choose Robert Walters for data analysis & science recruitment?
- Specialist data recruitment expertise: Our consultants are integrated into the data and analytics market, understanding the evolving skills landscape across AI, ML, engineering and analytics.
- Extensive UK-wide talent networks: With established candidate communities across London, Manchester, Birmingham and the Midlands, we connect you to both active and passive data professionals.
- Proven track record in permanent, contract & interim data hiring: We support businesses that need rapid interim cover, short-term project expertise, or long-term strategic hires.
- Insight-driven, targeted search capability: With an in-house market intelligence function, our recruiters use unique data to identify where relevant talent sits and run highly focused, evidence-led searches.
- Relationship-led, team-powered approach: Working as one joined-up team gives you access to our entire network, built through longstanding relationships with candidates and clients across the market.
- Truly global, proudly local presence: With deep local expertise supported by a global network, we can connect you to talent and insights across your region and around the world.
Benchmark 2026 data science & analytics salaries
Discover the latest salary and contract day rate benchmarks for data scientists, data analysts and data engineers across the UK. Our 2026 Technology Salary Survey provides detailed salary insights across London, the South East, the Midlands, the North West. Explore the full data to shape competitive offers and attract the talent your business needs.Data Scientist job description template
A data scientist plays a pivotal role in turning complex data into meaningful insights that guide strategic decisions. This template outlines the core responsibilities, skills and experience needed to excel in the role. Explore our full data scientist job description to help shape your hiring brief and attract the right talent.
Data Engineer job description template
A data engineer is responsible for designing, building and optimising the data pipelines that power analytics and AI across an organisation. This template covers the essential responsibilities, technical expertise and experience needed for success in this role. Access our data engineer job description to refine your brief.
An award-winning service
Meet our UK data science & analysis recruiters:
Ben Litvinoff
Data Recruitment, London and the South
With over 15 years’ experience in technology recruitment, Ben’s teams lead Robert Walters’ data science and analytics recruitment offering across London and the South. Backed by an established network of senior data and technology leaders, his team helps organisations secure the data capability needed to deliver long‑term impact.
Alex Taylor
Data Recruitment, North
Alex has over 19 years' experience in IT and Data recruitment, leading the recruitment of professionals across the North into temporary, FTC and interim roles. As Business Director and Head of BI, Data & Analytics, he is a passionate advocate for building a vibrant tech community in the North. Alex and his team support organisations hiring roles including data analysts, BI specialists, data engineers and analytics leaders across sectors.
Dawn May
Data Recruitment, Midlands
Dawn has over 15 years’ experience recruiting technology and data professionals across the Midlands, supporting organisations building resilient, future‑ready data and analytics capabilities. Known for her relationship‑driven approach and strong regional insight, Dawn and her team leverage an extensive network of experienced data professionals to help clients secure talent aligned with their technical needs.
Bespoke salary benchmarking
Using a combination of our own data, publicly available insights and our recruitment experts, we build bespoke overviews of the salaries and benefits required to attract talent.
FAQs
-
What data science/analysis roles does Robert Walters recruit for?
Robert Walters recruits data science professionals across every major specialism - including data scientists, machine learning engineers, research scientists, data engineers and senior leaders such as Heads of Data or Chief Data Officers.
With over 40 years of experience, we support permanent, contract and interim tech hiring across the UK - with strong talent networks across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Milton Keynes.
Whether you’re growing a team or making a strategic leadership hire, we help you access talent that fits both your technical and cultural needs.
If you’re planning a data science hire, submit your vacancy today to arrange a no-obligation discussion about how we can support.
-
What are typical UK salaries or day rates for data analytics and data science roles?
Salaries vary widely by region, industry and seniority, but the UK market continues to show strong demand for experienced data talent. Salaries also vary across industries, where professionals can receive higher packages due to the complexity and sensitivity of the data they are working with.
These benchmarks shift notably between London, the South East, the Midlands and the North.
For example, typical Data Analyst salaries range from £45k - £140k in London, to £35k – 55k in the Midlands, and £40k - £55k in the North of England.
For data scientists, London salaries range from £50k - £120k. In the Midlands, ranges are typically £40k-70k. In the North, £45k - £75k, and £42k-95k in the South and East of England.
The Robert Walters Technology Salary Survey outlines clear differences in compensation expectations for data analysts, data scientists and machine learning specialists, as well as competitive day rates for interim and contract professionals
Explore the full salary and day rate benchmarks in our Technology Salary Survey to build competitive packages with confidence.
-
What hiring trends are shaping data recruitment in the UK?
In 2026, UK employers are increasingly prioritising talent with AI, machine learning, cloud engineering and MLOps capability, while also seeking “hybrid” data professionals who can blend technical depth with commercial impact.
Demand remains highest across technology, FinTech, health and life services and the public sector, with employers facing a data skills gap and increasing pressure to keep up with rapid advances in AI adoption, automation and data-driven decision making.
Businesses that act quickly, communicate clearly and offer genuine progression opportunities are best positioned to secure top talent.
Offering competitive salaries and meaningful benefits packages is essential for organisations seeking to attract quality data professionals.
For tailored market advice or a discussion about your hiring plans, contact our specialist consultants.
-
When should businesses hire data science & analytics contractors?
Businesses typically hire data science and analytics contractors when they need immediate expertise to deliver time-sensitive projects, bridge a skills gap, or maintain momentum while a permanent hire is still being recruited.
Contractors are especially valuable for short-term programmes such as dashboard builds, cloud migrations, data engineering uplift, AI or ML proof of concepts, regulatory reporting, or when internal teams need extra capacity during peak demand.
Robert Walters supports these scenarios by providing prequalified interim and contract specialists across data engineering, analytics, data science, machine learning and senior data roles, ensuring organisations can scale quickly and keep projects on track.
If you need rapid access to temporary data talent, submit your requirement or get in touch to discuss your contractor needs.
-
Can Robert Walters help build data capability for technology transformation projects?
Yes. Robert Walters supports organisations undertaking technology transformation by helping them build the data and analytics capability required to deliver long‑term change.
Transformation programmes often involve modernising legacy systems, migrating to the cloud, embedding advanced analytics or operationalising AI, which requires specialist expertise that may not exist in‑house.
We work with organisations to source data engineers, data scientists, analytics specialists and senior data leaders with experience delivering within complex transformation environments. These professionals support initiatives such as enterprise data platform upgrades, AI adoption, data governance redesign and operating‑model transformation.
As leaders in the technology transformation recruitment space, we help businesses access the right mix of technical expertise and leadership to reduce delivery risk, accelerate outcomes and ensure capabilities are embedded sustainably.
To discuss building data capability for a transformation programme, tell us about your hiring needs and see how we can support.