Ofqual salary 2026/27
Ofqual regulates qualifications, exams and assessments in England. It is a small non-ministerial department and publishes medians from EO to SCS.
Ofqual salaries: the qualifications regulator, EO to SCS
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| EO | £26,950 | £1,828 | 92 of 92 |
| HEO | £36,200* | £2,334 | 82 of 93 |
| SEO | £45,170* | £2,839 | 77 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £55,550* | £3,413 | 90 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £73,310* | £4,154 | 67 of 84 |
| SCS | £101,550 | £5,415 | 19 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 Ofqual 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.
Lowest EO median in the civil service
Ofqual's EO median of £26,950 is 92nd of 92, the lowest on the list. HEO and Grade 7 are also close to the bottom at 82nd of 93 and 90th of 91.
The SCS figure is the opposite, at £101,550 and 19th of 58, so pay is far better at the top than at the bottom. Moving from EO to HEO adds about £506 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Ofqual median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EO | £26,950 | £32,460 | -£5,510 |
| HEO | £36,200 | £39,440 | -£3,240 |
| SEO | £45,170 | £48,220 | -£3,050 |
| Grade 7 | £55,550 | £63,110 | -£7,560 |
| Grade 6 | £73,310 | £78,270 | -£4,960 |
| SCS | £101,550 | £94,930 | +£6,620 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| EO to HEO | £9,250 | £506 |
| HEO to SEO | £8,970 | £506 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £10,380 | £574 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £17,760 | £740 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £28,240 | £1,261 |
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. Ofqual 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 EO earn at Ofqual?
The median EO salary at Ofqual was £26,950 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,828 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at Ofqual?
The median HEO salary at Ofqual was about £36,200 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,334 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a SEO earn at Ofqual?
The median SEO salary at Ofqual was about £45,170 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,839 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Ofqual pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At SCS, Ofqual ranks 19 of 58 departments that publish a figure. At EO it ranks 92 of 92.
What pension do Ofqual 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.