United Nations Compensation and Benefits 2025: Working with the United Nations (UN) is more than just a job — it’s a chance to make a global impact while enjoying world-class compensation and benefits. Whether you’re an internationally recruited professional or locally hired staff, the UN ensures fair, competitive, and motivating employment conditions for all.
Let’s explore the UN compensation system, covering salary structures, allowances, leave policies, health insurance, and pension plans in detail.
💼 Professional & Higher Categories
Professionals in this category are recruited internationally, and their compensation is benchmarked against the most competitive national civil services worldwide.
🔹 Salary Structure
1. Net Base Salary:
Every international professional starts with a global base salary, determined by a standardized international pay scale.
2. Post Adjustment:
- This is a non-pensionable allowance added to your base salary.
- It helps maintain the same purchasing power across different duty stations compared to New York (the reference city).
- The rate changes monthly, depending on local cost-of-living differences.
- 📍 You can check the current rates on the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website.
⚙️ UN Salary Grades Overview
| Grade / Category | Description / Role Level |
|---|---|
| P-1 to P-5 (Professional and Higher Categories) | Entry to mid-/senior professional international roles |
| D-1, D-2 (Directors) | Senior management / Director-level positions |
| ASG / USG | Assistant Secretary-General / Under-Secretary-General — very senior leadership |
| FS-1 to FS-7 (Field Service Category) | Staff posted in field / operational roles, often in more challenging duty stations |
| General Service (G-grades) | Locally recruited support services / administrative etc. (not detailed in current table) |
💵 Sample Salary Scales by Grade (Gross & Net)
Here are selected salary ranges for a few grades, to give you an idea of what the pay looks like. (“Net” = after staff assessments/taxes internal to the UN; still before external local taxes etc.)
| Grade | Step Range | Approximate Gross Salary (USD/year) | Approximate Net Salary (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| P-1 | Steps I-XIII | ~$47,000 → $66,000+ | ~$39,000 → ~$54,000+ UN Policy+2UN Civil Service Commission+2 |
| P-2 | Steps I-XIII | ~$61,000 → $84,000+ | ~$50,000 → ~$67,000+ UN Policy+2UN Civil Service Commission+2 |
| P-3 | Steps I-XIII | ~$79,000 → $105,000+ | ~$64,000 → ~$82,000+ UN Policy+2UN Civil Service Commission+2 |
| P-4 | Steps I-XIII | ~$97,000 → $125,000+ | ~$77,000 → ~$97,000+ UN Policy+1 |
| P-5 | Steps I-XIII | ~$118,000 → $150,000+ | ~$92,000 → ~$113,000+ UN Policy+1 |
| D-1 | Steps I-XIII | ~$137,000 → $175,000+ | ~$106,000 → ~$131,000+ UN Policy+1 |
| D-2 | Steps I-X etc. | ~$154,000 → $186,000+ | ~$117,000 → ~$138,000+ UN Policy+1 |
| ASG / USG | Single top levels | Gross ~$193,000 → ~$212,000+ | Net ~$142,000 → ~$155,000+ UN Policy |
| FS-7 | Steps I-XIII | ~$96,500 → ~$126,600 | ~$76,800 → ~$98,100 UN Policy+1 |
| FS-6 | Steps I-XIII | ~$80,300 → ~$106,500 | ~$64,500 → ~$84,100 UN Policy+1 |
| FS-5 | Steps I-XIII | ~$69,000 → ~$91,000+ | ~$55,900 → ~$72,700+ |
🎁 Additional UN Benefits and Allowances
Working for the UN comes with a range of financial and lifestyle perks that make international assignments rewarding:
1️⃣ Rental Subsidy
If your rent exceeds a specific portion of your salary, you may qualify for financial assistance.
2️⃣ Dependency Allowances
Available if you have a dependent spouse or children who meet UN eligibility criteria.
3️⃣ Education Grant
Supports the schooling expenses of your eligible children, covering tuition, books, and related costs.
4️⃣ Relocation Expenses
Covers travel and shipping costs when moving between duty stations.
5️⃣ Settling-In Grant
A one-time payment to help cover initial expenses upon arrival at a new posting.
6️⃣ Hardship Allowance
Offered at challenging duty stations with difficult living conditions.
If your family cannot accompany you, a non-family service allowance may also apply.
7️⃣ Danger Pay & Recuperation Breaks
Granted to employees working in high-risk or stressful environments to ensure safety and well-being.
8️⃣ Repatriation Grant
Given under certain conditions when you complete your international service and return home.
9️⃣ Mobility Incentive
Encourages staff to accept assignments in different locations, promoting international exposure.
🕒 Leave and Time-Off Entitlements
Your annual leave depends on your contract type, typically ranging from:
- 18 to 30 days of paid leave per year
- 10 official UN holidays annually, varying by country
- Home Leave Travel every few years, enabling you to visit your home country
🌟 The UN emphasizes work-life balance — ensuring you have time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with your roots.
🏥 Health Insurance Coverage
All UN employees can join one of the UN-sponsored medical insurance plans, offering global coverage for medical, dental, and vision care.
- Premiums are shared between the staff member and the organization, making it highly affordable.
💰 Retirement Pension
With a contract of six months or more, or after six months of uninterrupted service, you automatically become a member of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
- Both you and the UN contribute to the fund.
- It ensures a secure and sustainable retirement after your UN career.
👥 General Services & Related Categories
For locally recruited staff, salaries are based on local salary scales, regularly reviewed against prevailing national employment standards to ensure competitiveness and fairness.
💡 This ensures that UN employees worldwide receive pay consistent with the best local working conditions.
🧾 Tax Exemption
Most UN salaries, allowances, and grants are exempt from national income tax, providing additional financial advantage.
🌐 Field Service Category
Staff in the Field Service (FS) Category are internationally recruited and compensated under a global scale similar to professionals.
- Annual Net Base Salary serves as the starting point.
- Post Adjustment ensures purchasing power parity across global postings.
- They are also eligible for the same benefits and allowances, including:
- Rental Subsidy
- Dependency & Education Grants
- Relocation & Settling-In Grants
- Hardship & Danger Pay
- Repatriation Grant
- Mobility Incentives
⚖️ Disclaimer
This guide provides a general overview of the UN’s compensation and benefits structure.
Your actual terms of employment will be governed by the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules, which are the official source for all legal and administrative provisions.\
🌟 Final Thoughts
A career with the United Nations offers not only the opportunity to serve humanity but also provides a comprehensive compensation package that values your contribution and ensures your well-being worldwide.
🌏 From competitive salaries to exceptional benefits, the UN rewards dedication, diversity, and excellence on a global scale.