DBT salary 2026/27
The Department for Business and Trade was formed in 2023 and covers trade policy, business support and competition policy. Median pay for each grade from AO to SCS is below, with the monthly take-home.
Department for Business and Trade salaries: pay by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £32,370 | £2,136 | 11 of 73 |
| EO | £34,230 | £2,242 | 30 of 92 |
| HEO | £40,270* | £2,563 | 34 of 93 |
| SEO | £47,460* | £2,968 | 57 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £63,110* | £3,698 | 46 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £75,950* | £4,272 | 56 of 84 |
| SCS | £89,230 | £4,865 | 54 of 58 |
Median full-time salary at 31 March 2026 from Cabinet Office Civil Service Statistics. * Our estimate from the official 2026 figure for the combined level and the 2025 figure for the grade. Rank compares DBT with every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade. Take-home is full time, alpha member, tax code 1257L, no student loan.
A strong start, then an ordinary middle
The AO median of £32,370 is 11th of 73, one of the better starting salaries in the service, and it is 15% above the typical department's AO median. EO is 30th of 92, so the lead narrows quickly.
By Grade 7 the department is 46th of 91 and by Grade 6 56th of 84, which is middling. For someone choosing between departments, this is a good place to start and a less compelling place to stay purely for pay. Moving from HEO to SEO adds about £405 a month.
Against the typical department
| Grade | DBT median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £32,370 | £28,100 | +£4,270 |
| EO | £34,230 | £32,460 | +£1,770 |
| HEO | £40,270 | £39,440 | +£830 |
| SEO | £47,460 | £48,220 | -£760 |
| Grade 7 | £63,110 | £63,110 | +£0 |
| Grade 6 | £75,950 | £78,270 | -£2,320 |
| SCS | £89,230 | £94,930 | -£5,700 |
The typical department is the middle one when every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade is put in order, at 31 March 2026.
What each step up is worth
| Move | Extra gross a year | Extra take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| AO to EO | £1,860 | £106 |
| EO to HEO | £6,040 | £321 |
| HEO to SEO | £7,190 | £405 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £15,650 | £730 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £12,840 | £573 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £13,280 | £593 |
Extra take-home is smaller than the extra gross pay because of tax, National Insurance and the higher alpha contribution rate that applies as pay rises.
Grades with too few staff to publish a figure are left out. DBT may also pay more in London and for specialist roles, and most departments have paid a 2026/27 award since 31 March 2026.
Common questions
How much does an AO earn at DBT?
The median AO salary at Department for Business and Trade was £32,370 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,136 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at DBT?
The median EO salary at Department for Business and Trade was £34,230 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,242 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at DBT?
The median HEO salary at Department for Business and Trade was about £40,270 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,563 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does DBT pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At AO, DBT ranks 11 of 73 departments that publish a figure. At SCS it ranks 54 of 58.
What pension do DBT staff get?
Civil servants join the alpha pension scheme. You pay 4.6% to 8.05% of your pay depending on what you earn, and build 2.32% of your pensionable pay as pension each year.