FCDO salary 2026/27
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office runs the UK's diplomatic and aid work. These medians are for staff in the UK-based civil service grades, not staff employed locally overseas.
FCDO salaries: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pay
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £31,250 | £2,072 | 13 of 73 |
| EO | £36,500 | £2,351 | 21 of 92 |
| HEO | £44,080* | £2,778 | 16 of 93 |
| SEO | £52,160* | £3,243 | 24 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £64,240* | £3,749 | 39 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £76,800* | £4,310 | 52 of 84 |
| SCS | £93,690 | £5,064 | 33 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 FCDO 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 high-paying department in the early grades
The FCDO is ranked 13th of 73 at AO, 21st of 92 at EO and 16th of 93 at HEO, so entry pay is among the best. Its EO median of £36,500 is 12% above the typical department's EO median.
By Grade 7 it is 39th of 91 and by Grade 6 52nd of 84. Overseas postings add allowances that are not in these figures. The step from EO to HEO adds about £427 to monthly take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | FCDO median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £31,250 | £28,100 | +£3,150 |
| EO | £36,500 | £32,460 | +£4,040 |
| HEO | £44,080 | £39,440 | +£4,640 |
| SEO | £52,160 | £48,220 | +£3,940 |
| Grade 7 | £64,240 | £63,110 | +£1,130 |
| Grade 6 | £76,800 | £78,270 | -£1,470 |
| SCS | £93,690 | £94,930 | -£1,240 |
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 | £5,250 | £278 |
| EO to HEO | £7,580 | £427 |
| HEO to SEO | £8,080 | £465 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £12,080 | £506 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £12,560 | £561 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £16,890 | £754 |
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. FCDO 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 FCDO?
The median AO salary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was £31,250 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,072 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at FCDO?
The median EO salary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was £36,500 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,351 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at FCDO?
The median HEO salary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was about £44,080 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,778 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does FCDO pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At HEO, FCDO ranks 16 of 93 departments that publish a figure. At Grade 6 it ranks 52 of 84.
What pension do FCDO 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.