Dstl salary 2026/27
Dstl, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, does research for the armed forces and the wider defence community. It employs many scientists, and the medians here cover every grade from AA to Grade 6.
Dstl salaries: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory pay
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £23,440* | £1,628 | 26 of 26 |
| AO | £23,950* | £1,657 | 73 of 73 |
| EO | £29,550 | £1,976 | 85 of 92 |
| HEO | £35,160* | £2,295 | 91 of 93 |
| SEO | £45,770* | £2,873 | 72 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £55,980* | £3,433 | 88 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £79,250* | £4,419 | 37 of 84 |
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 Dstl 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.
Lower pay in the junior grades for a science employer
Dstl is 26th of 26 at AA, 73rd of 73 at AO and 91st of 93 at HEO, which is low for a technical employer. By Grade 7 it reaches 88th of 91 with a median of £55,980.
Many scientific posts are advertised on special terms that these medians do not capture. Within the grades shown, the step from SEO to Grade 7 is worth about £560 a month after tax and pension.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Dstl median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £23,440 | £27,440 | -£4,000 |
| AO | £23,950 | £28,100 | -£4,150 |
| EO | £29,550 | £32,460 | -£2,910 |
| HEO | £35,160 | £39,440 | -£4,280 |
| SEO | £45,770 | £48,220 | -£2,450 |
| Grade 7 | £55,980 | £63,110 | -£7,130 |
| Grade 6 | £79,250 | £78,270 | +£980 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AA to AO | £510 | £29 |
| AO to EO | £5,600 | £319 |
| EO to HEO | £5,610 | £319 |
| HEO to SEO | £10,610 | £578 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £10,210 | £560 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £23,270 | £986 |
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. Dstl 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 AA earn at Dstl?
The median AA salary at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was about £23,440 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,628 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an AO earn at Dstl?
The median AO salary at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was about £23,950 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,657 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Dstl?
The median EO salary at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory was £29,550 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,976 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Dstl pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At Grade 6, Dstl ranks 37 of 84 departments that publish a figure. At AA it ranks 26 of 26.
What pension do Dstl 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.