# Comparison of Salaries in EU institutions by contract type: AD, AST, CA, AST/SC - Link: https://euemployment.eu/salaries-in-eu-institution-by-contract-type-ad-ast-ca-ast-sc/ - Published: 2026-04-27T09:05:55+02:00 - Author: Ben ### Key Takeaways * Parity between some grades of AD, AST & CA: senior Contract Agents in [Function Group](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/function-group/) IV Grades 16–18 earn salaries equivalent to mid-level [Administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/administrators/) in grades AD/AST 5-7. * **Uniform Benefits**: Expatriation, household, and child [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/) are calculated as percentages of [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) or flat rates, regardless of contract type. * **Correction Coefficients**: Your final take-home pay depends more on your ‘** place of employment’** (e.g., Copenhagen vs. Sofia) than just your [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/). ## Basic Salaries side to side Below is a comparison of the basic monthly salaries for different staff categories at comparable levels of seniority or responsibility. ![EU institutions salary comparison by staff category ](https://euemployment.eu/ wp-content/uploads/EU-institutions-salary-comparison-by-staff-category-2026-681x1024. png) EU institutions salary comparison by staff category ### Executive Summary A common misconception among EU job seekers is that the only path to a “decent” salary is through the Administrator (AD) career path. While AD roles offer the highest long-term ceilings, the salary overlap between categories is significant. As of the **July 2025 – June 2026** salary update, a senior Assistant (AST) or a high- level [Contract Agent](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/contract-agent/) (FG IV) can earn a net income that rivals or exceeds that of an entry-level [AD 5](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-5/) or [AD 6](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-6/) [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/). This article deconstructs the [salary grid](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission-salary-grid/) to show that Function Groups and Staff Categories are not strictly hierarchical in terms of pay. We explore how “Assistant” grades 5 to 11 and “Contract Agent” FG IV grades 15 to 18 provide substantial financial stability, especially when family and expatriation [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/) are included. ## The Myth of the “Administrator Only” Payday In the EU civil service, your “rank” (AD, AST, or FG) describes your responsibilities, not necessarily a fixed pay ceiling. While an **[AD 5](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-5/)** [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) starts with a [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) of **€5,437.91**, an Assistant at [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/)** AST 7** ([Step](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/) 1) earns **€7,876.27**. The “insider” reality is that many long-serving [Assistants](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/assistants/)( ASTs) carry immense institutional knowledge and are compensated accordingly. Similarly, Contract Agents in **[Function Group](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/function-group/) IV** (FG IV) are often experts in their fields, and their salary scale reflects this expertise, starting at [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/) 13 but extending up to [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/) 18. ### Why Assistants (AST) Can Earn So Much The AST career path was originally designed for technical and administrative support. However, grades **AST 5 to AST 11** are senior positions. By the time an Assistant reaches **AST 11**, their [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) is **€12,907.41**, which is higher than an Administrator at **[AD 9](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-9/)**. ### The Rise of the FG IV Contract Agent Contract Agents in **[Function Group](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/function-group/) IV** perform the same tasks as [Administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/administrators/) but on fixed-term contracts (usually up to 6 years). If you are hired into **[Grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/) 15 or 16** due to significant previous experience (usually 10+ years), your starting [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) will be higher than that of a newly recruited **[AD 5](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-5/)** [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/). ## Sample Calculation: Assistant vs. Administrator Let’s look at a “Real World” comparison of two staff members living in Brussels, both expats, married with one child. ### Scenario A: New Administrator (AD 5, Step 1) * **[Basic Salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)**: €5,437.91 * **[Expatriation Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/expatriation-allowance/)( 16%)**: ~€1,100.00 (Incl. family increments) * **[Household Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/household-allowance/)**: €241.21 + 2% of basic (€108.76) = €349.97 * **Dependent Child Allowance**: €527.06 * **ESTIMATED TOTAL GROSS**: **€7,414.94** (Final take-home pay is adjusted by the [correction coefficient](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/correction-coefficient/) where 100% is Brussels.) ### Scenario B: Experienced Assistant (AST 7, Step 1) * **[Basic Salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)**: €7,876.27 * **[Expatriation Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/expatriation-allowance/)( 16%)**: ~€1,500.00 * **[Household Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/household-allowance/)**: €241.21 + 2% of basic (€157.53) = €398.74 * **Dependent Child Allowance**: €527.06 * **ESTIMATED TOTAL GROSS**: **€10,302.07** (Final take-home pay is adjusted by the [correction coefficient](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/correction-coefficient/) where 100% is Brussels.) **The “Insider” Tip:** While the AD [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) has a higher _potential_ career ceiling (up to [AD 16](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-16/)), the Assistant in this scenario is taking home significantly more money for many years before the AD [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) catches up via “reclassification” (promotions). ## Impact of the Correction Coefficient It is vital to remember that these “decent” salaries are further adjusted by the** [Correction Coefficient](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/correction-coefficient/)** if you work outside Brussels. This is meant to ensure that an [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) in Copenhagen has the same purchasing power as one in Brussels. | City | [Correction Coefficient](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/correction-coefficient/) | | **Brussels/Luxembourg** | **100.0%** | | **Copenhagen** | **129.8%** | | **Warsaw** | **76.7%** | | **Sofia** | **64.8%** | If you are an **AST 5** in Copenhagen, your [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) of €6,152.64 is multiplied by 1.298, resulting in a corrected [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) of **€7,986.13**. Conversely, in Sofia, it drops to **€3,986.91**. ## Allowances and other benefits for EU institutions staff Several [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/) and other benefits can quite significantly boost an EU official’s income. This largely depends on whether the person is an expat and has a spouse and/or children. When considering a job at an EU institution, people too often do not take these benefits into account. Important – these benefits are available to **[Administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/administrators/)** in grades AD 5-16, **[Assistants](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/assistants/) ** in grades AST 1-11, **Secretaries and Clerks** in grades AST/SC 1-6, and **Contract Agents** in grades FG I-IV. * **[Travel costs on taking up duties](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/travel-costs-on-taking-up-duties/)**. Reimbursement of travel costs for the [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) and eligible family members from the place of recruitment to the [place of employment](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/place-of-employment/). * **[Daily subsistence allowance](https://euemployment.eu/daily-subsistence-allowance-for-new-eu-employees/)**. Paid during your initial onboarding period if you must change your residence to take up duties at your [place of employment](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/place-of-employment/). Staff entitled to the [household allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/household-allowance/)( staff with a spouse or/and dependents) receive **€55.40 per calendar day** for up to 10 months ([probation period](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission-probation-period/) plus one month). Staff without [household allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/household-allowance/) receive **€44.68 per calendar day** for 120 days. * **[Installation allowance](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-installation-allowance/)** and coverage of removal costs (one-time payments). A lump sum granted upon completing your probationary period when moving your domicile. Single staff receive one month’s [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) (with a statutory floor of €1,577.18 for officials and temporary agents, and €937.77 for contract agents). Staff relocating with family receive two months’ [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/)( minimum €1,577.18). * [**Expatriation allowance** or **Foreign Residence allowance**](https://euemployment.eu/expatriation-allowance/). Paid to officials who are not nationals of their host country and have not habitually resided or carried out their main occupation there during the five years ending six months before entering the service. It equals 16% of the sum of [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/), [household allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/household-allowance/), and dependent child [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/)( subject to a statutory minimum of €714.89 per month). Expats who are not entitled to the [expatriation allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/expatriation-allowance/) get a [foreign residence allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/foreign-residence-allowance/) that equals 4% of the [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) amount (subject to a statutory minimum of €178.65 per month). * **[Household allowance](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-household-allowance/)**. Calculated as a flat base of €241.21 plus 2% of [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) for married staff, registered non-marital partners, or single parents with dependent children. * **[Dependent child allowance](https://euemployment.eu/dependent-child-allowance-european-commission/)**. A flat payment of €527.06 per month per child, granted automatically up to age 18, or up to age 26 while the child is in full-time educational or vocational training. * **[European School](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-school/) enrollment** for children or **[Education allowance](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-education-allowance/)**. Children of EU institutions staff enjoy free tuition at local European Schools. Where no [European School](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-school/) is available and university attendance, staff receive a statutory [Education Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/education-allowance/) or a Pre-school Allowance. The [Education Allowance](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/education-allowance/) amount is up to a ceiling of €357.62, and is doubled if there is no [European School](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-school/) near the institution’s headquarters. The Pre-school Allowance amount is €128.76 per month. Both [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/allowances/) are subject to the [correction coefficient](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/correction-coefficient/). * **[Healthcare costs reimbursement](https://euemployment.eu/jsis-joint-sickness-insurance-scheme-guide/)** to a level of 80-85% through the EU’s [Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/joint-sickness-insurance-scheme-jsis/)( [JSIS](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/joint-sickness-insurance-scheme-jsis/)) for the employee and any direct family members and dependents. 100% reimbursement of costs in case of a serious illness. * **Accident insurance**. * **Annual travel grant**. An annual flat-rate payment assisting expatriate staff and family members with travel to their [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) [place of origin](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/place-of-origin/). * **[Birth & adoption grant](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/#Birth-grant)**. A flat-rate grant of €198.31 paid upon the birth or adoption of a child. * **Parental leave** **allowance**. Statutory leave grant of €1,289.65 per month( or €1,719.56 per month for single parents) during approved parental leave. * **[Unemployment allowance](https://euemployment.eu/unemployment-allowance-european-commission/)**. * **Removal expenses **when leaving your home country and again when leaving your EU institution. * **[EU pension](https://euemployment.eu/european-commission-pensions/), survivors and orphan’s pensions, invalidity allowance**. * **Lump sum payments in case of permanent invalidity or death**. * Lump sum **funeral expenses**. Costs incurred upon the death of an [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/), their spouse, or dependent child are reimbursed up to a statutory ceiling of €3,365.18. If death occurs while on [official](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/official/) [mission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/mission/), the costs of repatriating the body to the official’s [place of origin](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/place-of-origin/) are fully covered by the institution. * **Invalidity & Survivor Pensions**: Comprehensive life, [disability](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/disability/), and death social security/coverage. In case of accidental death related to duties, a lump sum of 5 times the annual [basic salary](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/basic-salary/) is paid to eligible beneficiaries, with invalidity and orphan pensions ensuring partial income continuation. ## Conclusion: Which Path is Better? If your goal is immediate financial stability and you have technical or administrative expertise, do not overlook **AST** or **FG IV** vacancies. * **[Administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/administrators/) (AD)**: Best for long-term “lifers” aiming for management and the highest possible pension( AD 12+). * **[Assistants](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/assistants/) (AST)**: Excellent for those with technical skills who want a high, stable salary without the management pressure of the AD track. * **Contract Agents (FG IV)**: The fastest way for mid-career professionals to enter the EU system at a high pay [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/)( Grades 16–18). --- > I wrote this article to make it easier to understand the sometimes complex EU > HR and administrative rules. However, your individual case might have unique angles > due to prior work experience, family situation, or other factors. > **Where to ask > questions?**Rather than leaving a comment below, please bring your questions to > our [**Jobs in EU Institutions Facebook Group**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/jobs.in.eu.institutions). > We have nearly 10,000 members there, including EU ‘insiders’, so you will receive > a much faster and more thorough reply from me and the community.**Looking for > weekly ‘Zero EPSO’ vacancies across EU institutions** **and daily tips?**Follow > the [**Jobs in EU Institutions Facebook Page**](https://www.facebook.com/people/Jobs-in-EU-Institutions/61556372262919/) > and join alongside over 6,000 other followers.⌊Ben Vandervelde - profile image⌉ > Best regards, **Ben**