HMPPS salary 2026/27
HM Prison and Probation Service runs prisons and probation in England and Wales. Its figures include operational staff as well as headquarters roles, which is why they are higher than most departments at the lower grades.
HMPPS salaries: Prison and Probation Service pay by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £29,280* | £1,960 | 7 of 26 |
| AO | £37,230* | £2,392 | 1 of 73 |
| EO | £39,930 | £2,544 | 3 of 92 |
| HEO | £43,970* | £2,772 | 17 of 93 |
| SEO | £61,270* | £3,616 | 2 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £77,720* | £4,351 | 4 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £96,780* | £5,202 | 6 of 84 |
| SCS | £116,780 | £5,958 | 6 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 HMPPS 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 highest AO median in the civil service
The HMPPS AO median of £37,230 is 1st of 73, and 32% above the typical department's AO median. EO is 3rd of 92 and SEO is 2nd of 93.
The reason is likely to be allowances and a different pay structure for operational staff. Prison officer pay is covered on its own pages, including the unsocial hours allowance. From Grade 7 to Grade 6 the step is worth about £851 a month.
Against the typical department
| Grade | HMPPS median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £29,280 | £27,440 | +£1,840 |
| AO | £37,230 | £28,100 | +£9,130 |
| EO | £39,930 | £32,460 | +£7,470 |
| HEO | £43,970 | £39,440 | +£4,530 |
| SEO | £61,270 | £48,220 | +£13,050 |
| Grade 7 | £77,720 | £63,110 | +£14,610 |
| Grade 6 | £96,780 | £78,270 | +£18,510 |
| SCS | £116,780 | £94,930 | +£21,850 |
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 | £7,950 | £432 |
| AO to EO | £2,700 | £152 |
| EO to HEO | £4,040 | £228 |
| HEO to SEO | £17,300 | £844 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £16,450 | £735 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £19,060 | £851 |
| Grade 6 to SCS | £20,000 | £757 |
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. HMPPS 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 HMPPS?
The median AA salary at HM Prison and Probation Service was about £29,280 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,960 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an AO earn at HMPPS?
The median AO salary at HM Prison and Probation Service was about £37,230 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,392 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at HMPPS?
The median EO salary at HM Prison and Probation Service was £39,930 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,544 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does HMPPS pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At AO, HMPPS ranks 1 of 73 departments that publish a figure. At AA it ranks 7 of 26.
What pension do HMPPS 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.