Grade comparison
Compare Civil Service grades side by side. See how behaviour expectations, typical word counts, and responsibilities change as you move from AO to SCS.
Quick comparison
| Grade | Typical word count | Focus | Key expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | 250 words | Administrative support | Follow procedures, support the team, understand your role. |
| EO | 250 words | Operational delivery | Take ownership, show initiative, understand team priorities. |
| HEO | 250 words | Team management | Manage workload, support juniors, show independent judgement. |
| SEO | 250–500 words | Project leadership | Lead projects, manage stakeholders, balance competing priorities. |
| Grade 7 | 500 words | Programme management | Manage programmes, shape policy, influence senior stakeholders. |
| Grade 6 | 500–750 words | Director level | Set strategic direction, manage large-scale change, cross-organisational influence. |
| SCS | 750 words | Senior leadership | Transformative leadership, ministerial engagement, systemic impact. |
How expectations change by behaviour
The same behaviour is assessed differently at each grade. Below is how Seeing the Big Picture changes — the pattern is similar for all nine behaviours.
| Grade | Seeing the Big Picture expectation |
|---|---|
| AO | Understands how their role supports the team. Shows awareness of organisational goals. |
| EO | Considers how their work affects other teams. Begins to spot wider patterns. |
| HEO | Actively seeks information about organisational priorities. Escalates insights that affect wider operations. |
| SEO | Balances team priorities with organisational strategy. Influences decisions beyond immediate area. |
| Grade 7 | Shapes policy or operational direction with awareness of cross-government impact. Manages complex stakeholder landscapes. |
| Grade 6 | Sets strategic direction with evidence of cross-organisational and cross-sector thinking. Leads systemic change. |
| SCS | Delivers outcomes that affect the whole Civil Service or public. Engages with ministers and shapes national priorities. |
When applying for a role, read the job advert carefully for the specific grade and any delegated grade variations. Some departments use slightly different titles or banding. The level descriptors in the advert tell you exactly what assessors are looking for.
Salary ranges (indicative)
Salaries vary by department, location, and whether the role is in London or elsewhere. These figures are indicative as of 2025–2026.
| Grade | London range | National range |
|---|---|---|
| AO | £24,000–£27,000 | £21,000–£24,000 |
| EO | £28,000–£32,000 | £25,000–£29,000 |
| HEO | £34,000–£40,000 | £30,000–£36,000 |
| SEO | £42,000–£50,000 | £37,000–£45,000 |
| Grade 7 | £52,000–£62,000 | £46,000–£56,000 |
| Grade 6 | £68,000–£80,000 | £60,000–£72,000 |
| SCS | £85,000–£200,000+ | £75,000–£180,000+ |
Note: Salary figures are approximate and based on published pay scales. Check the GOV.UK civil service pay guidance for current rates. Figures dated July 2025.