Civil Service grades
There are seven broad grades in the Civil Service:
A civil servant’s salary depends on grade and role, with each grade having different levels of seniority, responsibility and expertise which is reflected in the pay scales. Salary can also vary depending on the government department you work in.
A breakdown of roles, responsibilities and average starting salary
Administrative Officer/Administrative Assistant (AA/AO)
AAs and AOs play an essential role in government departments, usually in administrative support or operational delivery roles. They are entry level or junior roles where responsibilities vary widely depending on the department. These roles are good with less experience.
Responsibilities can include:
- handling enquiries over the phone, in person or online
- schedule meetings and arrange travel
- file documents, order stationary and other administrative tasks
- refer complex work or queries to an executive officer
- keeping accounts up to date
- update and manage information systems, including databases and electronic records
Average starting salary: £23,000
Entry routes: direct applications or apprenticeships
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: office administrator and executive assistants
Executive Officer (EO)
EOs are typically junior management roles working in a supportive team structure under the direction of a team leader (HEOs and SEOs). Line management responsibilities are unlikely but maybe expected to take on more responsibility for specific tasks or complex casework.
Responsibilities can include:
- handling enquiries over the phone, in person or online
- schedule meetings and arrange travel
- file documents, order stationary and other administrative tasks
- refer complex work or queries to an executive officer
- keeping accounts up to date
- update and manage information systems, including databases and electronic records
Average starting salary: £27,000
Entry routes: direct applications and apprenticeships
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: senior administrator and supervisors
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
HEOs are middle management roles acting as project managers, team leaders who are responsible for the development of policies, delivering services and managing teams. These roles are good for those who have some experience in the business area or technical specialism.
Responsibilities can include:
- managing teams of administrative staff (EOs and AOs)
- carrying out data analysis, preparing and then presenting reports
- supporting and developing junior staff
- managing a budget
- assisting others to review and draft policies
Average starting salary: £32,000
Entry routes: direct applications and graduate fast stream programmes
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: office manager and team leader
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
A SEO is a mid-level management role who often manage teams (AA/AOs and EOs) and projects. They are an experienced manager or highly technical acting as role models for Civil Service behaviours.
Responsibilities can include:
- lead a team to develop policies, products or services
- manage stakeholder relationship
- draft briefings for senior colleagues and ministers
- review and manage risks
- making recommendations about policies or business changes
- managing work of others and decided what to prioritise
- manage contracts and plan resources
Average starting salary: £39,000
Entry routes: direct applications and the completion of the fast stream programme
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: senior team leader and senior supervisor
Grade 7 (G7)
A senior manager role capable of handling complex work, with expertise in the business area or profession. The role requires a number of years of experience in a similar role or subject area.
Responsibilities can include:
- line management of responsibilities of teams (HEOs and SEOs)
- handling highly complex work
- leading teams and providing expert advice
- fostering team development, setting priorities and allocation responsibility to the team
Average starting salary: £49,000
Entry routes: direct applications
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: deputy operations manager or deputy head of a department
Grade 6 (G6)
A very senior management role who provides expert advice and is accountable for delivery of a programme of works. G6s require a substantial experience in similar roles or subject area.
Responsibilities can include:
- leading a team that delivers a large piece of work or change
- communicating with important stakeholders
- making decisions about what your team does and how
- responding to important changes in legislating and policy
Average starting salary: £59,000
Entry routes: direct applications
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: operations manager or head of department
Senior Civil Servant (SCS)
SCS roles are the most senior leadership roles in the Civil Service requiring strong leadership experience, strategic thinking and delivery public services. The SCS grade includes 4 grades (SCS1 – SCS4), these correspond to the roles of deputy director, director, director general and permanent secretary.
Responsibilities can include:
- working closely with ministers
- leading and managing significant areas of government
- managing large budgets and overseeing major projects
- uphold the Civil Service Code and the statutory values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality
- leading large teams in the development and implementation of strategies and change
Average starting salary: £76,000
Entry routes: direct applications
Equivalent roles outside of the Civil Service: Deputy Directors or Directors
