Office of Rail and Road salary 2026/27
The Office of Rail and Road regulates Network Rail, the railways and National Highways. It publishes medians from AO to SCS.
Office of Rail and Road salaries by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £25,940 | £1,770 | 63 of 73 |
| EO | £33,110 | £2,178 | 40 of 92 |
| HEO | £39,570* | £2,524 | 42 of 93 |
| SEO | £48,320* | £3,017 | 46 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £65,780* | £3,817 | 30 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £82,770* | £4,576 | 24 of 84 |
| SCS | £113,230 | £5,855 | 8 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 Office of Rail and Road 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.
Rising ranking up the grades
The ORR starts below average at AO, ranked 63rd of 73, then climbs: 40th of 92 at EO, 42nd of 93 at HEO, 30th of 91 at Grade 7 and 24th of 84 at Grade 6.
SCS is 8th of 58 at £113,230. For people moving through the grades, that is a good pattern, since each step up improves your position relative to other departments. The step from Grade 7 to Grade 6 adds about £759 a month.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Office of Rail and Road median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £25,940 | £28,100 | -£2,160 |
| EO | £33,110 | £32,460 | +£650 |
| HEO | £39,570 | £39,440 | +£130 |
| SEO | £48,320 | £48,220 | +£100 |
| Grade 7 | £65,780 | £63,110 | +£2,670 |
| Grade 6 | £82,770 | £78,270 | +£4,500 |
| SCS | £113,230 | £94,930 | +£18,300 |
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 | £7,170 | £408 |
| EO to HEO | £6,460 | £345 |
| HEO to SEO | £8,750 | £493 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £17,460 | £800 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £16,990 | £759 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £30,460 | £1,279 |
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. Office of Rail and Road 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 Office of Rail and Road?
The median AO salary at Office of Rail and Road was £25,940 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,770 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Office of Rail and Road?
The median EO salary at Office of Rail and Road was £33,110 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,178 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at Office of Rail and Road?
The median HEO salary at Office of Rail and Road was about £39,570 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,524 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Office of Rail and Road pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At SCS, Office of Rail and Road ranks 8 of 58 departments that publish a figure. At AO it ranks 63 of 73.
What pension do Office of Rail and Road 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.