Ofwat salary 2026/27
Ofwat regulates the water industry in England and Wales. Its medians from AO to SCS are among the highest in the civil service.
Ofwat salaries: water regulator pay by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £25,880 | £1,767 | 64 of 73 |
| EO | £31,980 | £2,114 | 54 of 92 |
| HEO | £48,010* | £2,999 | 3 of 93 |
| SEO | £68,930* | £3,958 | 1 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £81,380* | £4,514 | 3 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £103,790* | £5,515 | 2 of 84 |
| SCS | £143,410 | £6,833 | 1 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 Ofwat 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.
The best-paying regulator at the senior grades
Ofwat is 1st of 93 at SEO, 3rd of 91 at Grade 7, 2nd of 84 at Grade 6 and 1st of 58 for SCS. Its SCS median of £143,410 is 51% above the typical department's SCS median.
The junior grades are ordinary, with AO 64th of 73 and EO 54th of 92, but HEO jumps to 3rd of 93. The step from EO to HEO adds about £885 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Ofwat median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £25,880 | £28,100 | -£2,220 |
| EO | £31,980 | £32,460 | -£480 |
| HEO | £48,010 | £39,440 | +£8,570 |
| SEO | £68,930 | £48,220 | +£20,710 |
| Grade 7 | £81,380 | £63,110 | +£18,270 |
| Grade 6 | £103,790 | £78,270 | +£25,520 |
| SCS | £143,410 | £94,930 | +£48,480 |
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 | £6,100 | £347 |
| EO to HEO | £16,030 | £885 |
| HEO to SEO | £20,920 | £959 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £12,450 | £556 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £22,410 | £1,001 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £39,620 | £1,318 |
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. Ofwat 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 Ofwat?
The median AO salary at Ofwat was £25,880 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,767 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Ofwat?
The median EO salary at Ofwat was £31,980 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,114 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at Ofwat?
The median HEO salary at Ofwat was about £48,010 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,999 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Ofwat pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At SEO, Ofwat ranks 1 of 93 departments that publish a figure. At AO it ranks 64 of 73.
What pension do Ofwat 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.