The National Archives salary 2026/27
The National Archives looks after the government's official records at Kew. It publishes medians from AO to Grade 6, and the figures are low outside the lowest grade.
The National Archives salaries by grade
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £28,100 | £1,893 | 37 of 73 |
| EO | £29,260 | £1,959 | 89 of 92 |
| HEO | £35,200* | £2,297 | 90 of 93 |
| SEO | £44,200* | £2,785 | 84 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £55,560* | £3,414 | 89 of 91 |
| Grade 6 | £71,760* | £4,084 | 76 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 The National Archives 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.
AO is average, the rest is near the bottom
Its AO median of £28,100 ranks 37th of 73, but EO is 89th of 92, HEO 90th of 93 and Grade 7 89th of 91. These are among the lowest figures at those grades.
The gap between AO and EO is also small, only about £66 a month in take-home, so promotion from AO is worth less here than elsewhere.
Against the typical department
| Grade | The National Archives median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO | £28,100 | £28,100 | +£0 |
| EO | £29,260 | £32,460 | -£3,200 |
| HEO | £35,200 | £39,440 | -£4,240 |
| SEO | £44,200 | £48,220 | -£4,020 |
| Grade 7 | £55,560 | £63,110 | -£7,550 |
| Grade 6 | £71,760 | £78,270 | -£6,510 |
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 | £1,160 | £66 |
| EO to HEO | £5,940 | £338 |
| HEO to SEO | £9,000 | £487 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £11,360 | £629 |
| Grade 7 to Grade 6 | £16,200 | £671 |
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. The National Archives 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 The National Archives?
The median AO salary at The National Archives was £28,100 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,893 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at The National Archives?
The median EO salary at The National Archives was £29,260 at 31 March 2026, which is about £1,959 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does a HEO earn at The National Archives?
The median HEO salary at The National Archives was about £35,200 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,297 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does The National Archives pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At AO, The National Archives ranks 37 of 73 departments that publish a figure. At Grade 7 it ranks 89 of 91.
What pension do The National Archives 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.