MHRA salary 2026/27
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines, medical devices and blood products in the UK. Its median pay by grade, from AO to SCS, is below.
MHRA salaries: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £30,240 | £2,015 | 19 of 73 |
| EO | £34,180 | £2,239 | 32 of 92 |
| HEO | £38,210* | £2,447 | 60 of 93 |
| SEO | £47,200* | £2,954 | 59 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £61,400* | £3,622 | 64 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £76,240* | £4,285 | 55 of 84 |
| SCS | £92,330 | £5,003 | 40 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 MHRA 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.
Strong at AO and EO, average later
MHRA ranks 19th of 73 at AO and 32nd of 92 at EO, with an AO median of £30,240. After that it drops to 60th of 93 at HEO and 64th of 91 at Grade 7.
Scientific and clinical posts may be paid on different terms from the figures here. Moving from EO to HEO adds about £208 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | MHRA median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £30,240 | £28,100 | +£2,140 |
| EO | £34,180 | £32,460 | +£1,720 |
| HEO | £38,210 | £39,440 | -£1,230 |
| SEO | £47,200 | £48,220 | -£1,020 |
| Grade 7 | £61,400 | £63,110 | -£1,710 |
| Grade 6 | £76,240 | £78,270 | -£2,030 |
| SCS | £92,330 | £94,930 | -£2,600 |
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 | £3,940 | £224 |
| EO to HEO | £4,030 | £208 |
| HEO to SEO | £8,990 | £507 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £14,200 | £668 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £14,840 | £663 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £16,090 | £719 |
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. MHRA 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 MHRA?
The median AO salary at Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was £30,240 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,015 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at MHRA?
The median EO salary at Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was £34,180 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,239 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at MHRA?
The median HEO salary at Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was about £38,210 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,447 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does MHRA pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At AO, MHRA ranks 19 of 73 departments that publish a figure. At Grade 7 it ranks 64 of 91.
What pension do MHRA 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.