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How Much Do Civil Servants Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide

Complete guide to civil service salaries in the UK for 2026. Administrative officer to Permanent Secretary pay, departmental differences, grade structures, Fast Stream, pension, and career progression.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

The UK Civil Service employs over 500,000 people across hundreds of departments and agencies. Pay varies significantly by grade, department, and location. Here’s a complete breakdown.

Civil Service Grade Structure and Pay (2025/26)

Delegated Grades (Non-Senior)

Pay varies between departments, but typical ranges are:

Grade Typical Salary (National) Typical Salary (London)
Administrative Assistant (AA) £20,000-£23,500 £23,000-£26,500
Administrative Officer (AO) £22,000-£27,000 £25,000-£30,000
Executive Officer (EO) £28,000-£35,000 £31,000-£38,000
Higher Executive Officer (HEO) £33,000-£42,000 £37,000-£46,000
Senior Executive Officer (SEO) £40,000-£50,000 £44,000-£55,000
Grade 7 £50,000-£65,000 £55,000-£70,000
Grade 6 £60,000-£75,000 £65,000-£80,000

Senior Civil Service (SCS)

Grade Salary Range
SCS Pay Band 1 (Deputy Director) £71,000-£117,800
SCS Pay Band 2 (Director) £93,000-£162,500
SCS Pay Band 3 (Director General) £120,000-£208,100
Permanent Secretary £150,000-£200,000+
Cabinet Secretary / Head of Civil Service £200,000+

Pay by Department (HEO Grade Example)

Departments set their own pay within delegated ranges:

Department HEO Salary Range
HMRC £35,200-£40,500
DWP £33,500-£38,000
Home Office £36,000-£41,000
Ministry of Defence £35,400-£40,500
Department for Education £35,000-£40,000
DEFRA £33,900-£39,000
Cabinet Office £37,000-£43,000
HM Treasury £38,000-£45,000
Foreign Office (FCDO) £36,000-£42,000

London and Regional Pay

Location Allowances

Location Allowance
Inner London £3,000-£4,000/year
Outer London £1,500-£2,500/year
National (outside London) Base salary

Some departments (e.g., HMRC, DWP) have large regional presences with adjusted pay bands.

Fast Stream (Graduate Programme)

Starting Salaries

Stream Starting Salary (National) Starting Salary (London)
Generalist Fast Stream £28,000 £31,000
Digital, Data and Technology £29,000-£33,000 £32,000-£36,000
Finance Fast Stream £28,000-£30,000 £31,000-£33,000
Science and Engineering £28,000-£30,000 £31,000-£33,000
Diplomatic Service £28,500-£30,000 £31,500-£33,000
Houses of Parliament £28,000-£30,000 £31,000-£33,000

Fast Stream Progression

Year Grade Typical Salary
Entry HEO equivalent £28,000-£33,000
After 2-3 years SEO equivalent £40,000-£50,000
After 3-5 years (post-scheme) Grade 7 £50,000-£65,000
5-10 years post-scheme Grade 6 £60,000-£75,000
10-15 years post-scheme SCS1 (Deputy Director) £71,000-£117,800

Specialist Roles and Pay

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

Role Grade Salary
Junior Developer HEO £33,000-£42,000
Developer SEO £40,000-£55,000
Senior Developer Grade 7 £55,000-£70,000
Lead Developer Grade 6 £65,000-£80,000
Head of Technology SCS1 £71,000-£117,800

Operational Delivery

Role Grade Salary
DWP Work Coach EO £28,000-£32,000
HMRC Customer Service AO £22,000-£26,000
Border Force Officer EO £28,000-£33,000
Prison Officer (HMPPS) Band 3 £28,000-£32,000
Probation Officer Band 4 £30,000-£40,000

Analytical Professions

Role Grade Salary
Statistician (Assistant) HEO £33,000-£40,000
Economist (Grade 7) Grade 7 £55,000-£65,000
Social Researcher HEO-G7 £33,000-£65,000
Actuary G7-G6 £55,000-£80,000

Civil Service Pension (Alpha)

Key Features

Feature Details
Scheme name Alpha
Type Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)
Accrual rate 2.32% per year
Normal pension age State Pension Age (currently 66, rising to 67/68)
Revaluation CPI each year
Employer contribution 28.97%
Employee contribution 4.6-8.05% depending on salary
Death in service Lump sum (2x salary) + survivor pension

Employee Contribution Rates

Salary Band Contribution Rate
Up to £24,249 4.60%
£24,250-£56,499 5.45%
£56,500-£153,299 7.35%
£153,300+ 8.05%

Example Pensions

Scenario Annual Pension at SPA
AO, 30 years at average £25,000 ~£17,400
HEO, 30 years at average £38,000 ~£26,400
Grade 7, 25 years at average £58,000 ~£33,600
SCS1, 20 years at average £90,000 ~£41,800

Benefits and Working Conditions

Benefit Details
Annual leave 25 days rising to 30 days (with service)
Flexi-time Available in most departments
Hybrid working Typically 2-3 days in office
Pension Outstanding (28.97% employer contribution)
Childcare vouchers May be available
Cycle to Work scheme Available
Season ticket loan Interest-free for commuting
Employee Assistance Programme Free counselling and support
Learning and development Extensive opportunities
Job security Strong

Career Progression

Standard Progression

Stage Years Grade Salary
Entry level 0-2 AO/EO £22,000-£35,000
First promotion 2-5 HEO £33,000-£42,000
Middle management 5-10 SEO £40,000-£50,000
Senior professional 8-15 Grade 7 £50,000-£65,000
Senior management 12-20 Grade 6 £60,000-£75,000
Director level 15-25 SCS1 £71,000-£117,800

Fast Stream Progression

Stage Years Grade Salary
Entry 0 HEO £28,000-£33,000
Mid-scheme 1-2 SEO £40,000-£50,000
Post-scheme 3-5 Grade 7 £50,000-£65,000
Senior roles 5-10 Grade 6 £60,000-£75,000
Director track 10-15 SCS1 £71,000-£117,800

How to Apply

Route How
Standard roles civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
Fast Stream faststream.gov.uk (annual recruitment cycle)
Specialist roles Via departmental campaigns
Secondments Internal cross-departmental opportunities
Agency workers Via recruitment agencies

Summary

Grade Salary Range
Administrative Officer (AO) £22,000-£27,000
Executive Officer (EO) £28,000-£35,000
Higher Executive Officer (HEO) £33,000-£42,000
Senior Executive Officer (SEO) £40,000-£50,000
Grade 7 £50,000-£65,000
Grade 6 £60,000-£75,000
Deputy Director (SCS1) £71,000-£117,800
Director (SCS2) £93,000-£162,500
Permanent Secretary £150,000-£200,000+
London weighting +£3,000-£4,000

Sources

  1. GOV.UK — Civil Service pay