SALARIES

The salaries of staff members of the United Nations common system organizations are reflected in salary scales that reflect the salaries for each grade, and for each step within each grade. The different grades represent the difference in complexities and responsibilities for jobs, which are based on standards established by the International Civil Service Commission.

UN salaries are set according to two principles established during the early years of the United Nations by the recommendations of committees representing the Member States. The goal was create a compensation system to attract people to the new role of international civil servant, and for the UN to be seen as one of the best employers in the host countries of its offices.

 

Noblemaire Principle

The international civil service should recruit from the Member States including the highest paid civil service. The principle applies to salaries for staff in the Professional and higher categories.  

Flemming Principle

Compensation for locally recruited staff should reflect the best prevailing conditions found locally for similar work.  This applies to salaries for staff in the General Service and related categories hired in the locality of the duty station (their home country or the country where they have residency).

How to read a salary scale

The complexity and work responsibilities of types of jobs are evaluated and arranged in a level hierarchy (e.g., USG, ASG, D-2, D-1) according to the common system job classification method developed by the ICSC. Each level is associated with a range of salary amounts (steps).

Go to the UN Careers Portal to see an example

 

Find more about

Bullet point PROFESSIONAL AND HIGHER CATEGORIES

Bullet point GENERAL SERVICE AND RELATED CATEGORIES

Bullet point FIELD SERVICE CATEGORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important documents: