Scottish Forestry salary 2026/27
Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for forestry policy, support and regulation. It publishes medians for AO to Grade 7.
Scottish Forestry salaries by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £30,740 | £2,043 | 17 of 73 |
| EO | £38,120 | £2,442 | 5 of 92 |
| HEO | £46,640* | £2,922 | 6 of 93 |
| SEO | £55,280* | £3,401 | 21 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £71,370 | £4,067 | 18 of 91 |
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 Scottish Forestry 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.
High at EO and HEO
Scottish Forestry is 5th of 92 at EO, with a median of £38,120, and 6th of 93 at HEO. AO is 17th of 73 and Grade 7 is 18th of 91.
Its SEO median of £55,280 is 21st of 93, so the lead narrows at the higher grades. A move from EO to HEO adds about £480 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Scottish Forestry median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £30,740 | £28,100 | +£2,640 |
| EO | £38,120 | £32,460 | +£5,660 |
| HEO | £46,640 | £39,440 | +£7,200 |
| SEO | £55,280 | £48,220 | +£7,060 |
| Grade 7 | £71,370 | £63,110 | +£8,260 |
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 | £7,380 | £399 |
| EO to HEO | £8,520 | £480 |
| HEO to SEO | £8,640 | £479 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £16,090 | £666 |
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. Scottish Forestry 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 Scottish Forestry?
The median AO salary at Scottish Forestry was £30,740 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,043 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Scottish Forestry?
The median EO salary at Scottish Forestry was £38,120 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,442 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at Scottish Forestry?
The median HEO salary at Scottish Forestry was about £46,640 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,922 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Scottish Forestry pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At EO, Scottish Forestry ranks 5 of 92 departments that publish a figure. At AO it ranks 17 of 73.
What pension do Scottish Forestry 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.