Forestry and Land Scotland salary 2026/27
Forestry and Land Scotland manages Scotland's national forests and land. It publishes medians from AA to Grade 6, and several of its grades are among the best paid in the civil service.
Forestry and Land Scotland salaries by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £26,860* | £1,823 | 16 of 26 |
| AO | £34,850* | £2,277 | 2 of 73 |
| EO | £38,120 | £2,442 | 4 of 92 |
| HEO | £47,770* | £2,986 | 4 of 93 |
| SEO | £56,830* | £3,418 | 17 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £68,720* | £3,949 | 21 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £85,390* | £4,693 | 19 of 84 |
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 Forestry and Land Scotland 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.
Second for AO, fourth for EO and HEO
Its AO median of £34,850 is 2nd of 73, and it is 4th of 92 at EO and 4th of 93 at HEO. That puts the AO figure 24% above the typical department's AO median.
The gap closes at higher grades, with SEO 17th of 93 and Grade 6 19th of 84. This is one of the most unusual profiles on the list, since a junior grade is paid better than the same grade in most larger departments. AA to AO adds about £455 a month.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Forestry and Land Scotland median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £26,860 | £27,440 | -£580 |
| AO | £34,850 | £28,100 | +£6,750 |
| EO | £38,120 | £32,460 | +£5,660 |
| HEO | £47,770 | £39,440 | +£8,330 |
| SEO | £56,830 | £48,220 | +£8,610 |
| Grade 7 | £68,720 | £63,110 | +£5,610 |
| Grade 6 | £85,390 | £78,270 | +£7,120 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AA to AO | £7,990 | £455 |
| AO to EO | £3,270 | £165 |
| EO to HEO | £9,650 | £544 |
| HEO to SEO | £9,060 | £432 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £11,890 | £531 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £16,670 | £744 |
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. Forestry and Land Scotland 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 AA earn at Forestry and Land Scotland?
The median AA salary at Forestry and Land Scotland was about £26,860 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,823 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an AO earn at Forestry and Land Scotland?
The median AO salary at Forestry and Land Scotland was about £34,850 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,277 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Forestry and Land Scotland?
The median EO salary at Forestry and Land Scotland was £38,120 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,442 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Forestry and Land Scotland pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At AO, Forestry and Land Scotland ranks 2 of 73 departments that publish a figure. At AA it ranks 16 of 26.
What pension do Forestry and Land Scotland 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.