HMCTS salary 2026/27
HM Courts and Tribunals Service runs the courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and employs court clerks, listing staff and administrators in large numbers. Its medians from AA to SCS are below.
HMCTS salaries: HM Courts and Tribunals Service pay by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £24,520* | £1,689 | 23 of 26 |
| AO | £25,450* | £1,742 | 68 of 73 |
| EO | £29,850 | £1,993 | 80 of 92 |
| HEO | £36,210* | £2,334 | 79 of 93 |
| SEO | £45,570* | £2,862 | 73 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £59,490* | £3,537 | 71 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £72,590* | £4,122 | 74 of 84 |
| SCS | £92,580 | £5,014 | 38 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 HMCTS 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.
Low across the grades
HMCTS ranks 23rd of 26 at AA, 68th of 73 at AO and 80th of 92 at EO. Its EO median of £29,850 is 8% below the typical department's EO median.
The same AA, AO and EO figures appear for the Legal Aid Agency, which points to a shared pay structure across Ministry of Justice agencies. Moving from EO to HEO adds about £342 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | HMCTS median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £24,520 | £27,440 | -£2,920 |
| AO | £25,450 | £28,100 | -£2,650 |
| EO | £29,850 | £32,460 | -£2,610 |
| HEO | £36,210 | £39,440 | -£3,230 |
| SEO | £45,570 | £48,220 | -£2,650 |
| Grade 7 | £59,490 | £63,110 | -£3,620 |
| Grade 6 | £72,590 | £78,270 | -£5,680 |
| SCS | £92,580 | £94,930 | -£2,350 |
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 | £930 | £53 |
| AO to EO | £4,400 | £251 |
| EO to HEO | £6,360 | £342 |
| HEO to SEO | £9,360 | £528 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £13,920 | £675 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £13,100 | £585 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £19,990 | £893 |
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. HMCTS 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 HMCTS?
The median AA salary at HM Courts and Tribunals Service was about £24,520 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,689 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an AO earn at HMCTS?
The median AO salary at HM Courts and Tribunals Service was about £25,450 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,742 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at HMCTS?
The median EO salary at HM Courts and Tribunals Service was £29,850 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,993 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does HMCTS pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At SCS, HMCTS ranks 38 of 58 departments that publish a figure. At AO it ranks 68 of 73.
What pension do HMCTS 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.