How much does a United Nations Job pay?
What can you expect to be paid at the UN system?
Are there different UN pay levels?
The remuneration of staff in Professional and higher grade categories is made up of two main elements:
Post adjustment
This is a monthly base salary multiplier, taking into account among other, the cost-of-living factors and exchange rate fluctuation as well as inflation.Base salary
The base salary, which is determined by the grade of the post specified in the job opening is the same throughout the United Nations system. For entry level professionals (P1 - P3) the annual net base salary for example can range from USD 37,000 - 80,000 (obviously this can range from organization and is used as a guideline only). Having said that, salaries, grants and allowances paid by the United Nations are normally exempt from income tax!
On top of the base salary, you will get a post adjustment which depends among others on to the cost of living in the duty station. (The post adjustment aims to ensure that all UN staff at the same salary level have a similar purchasing power in every duty station by compensating for the differences in cost of living while also taking currency fluctuations into account).
Lets do some salary sums as an example:
So lets say your annual base salary is US$ 80,000 (well done) and the post adjustment multiplier for your duty station is 65%, your salary will be calculated based on the following:
US$ 80,000 salary (base salary according to your un job vacancy) x 0.65 (post adjustment percentage per year)= US$ 52,000
Therefore, you Total Annual Salary is USD 132,000 (80,000 + 52,000)
To see the current post adjustment rates, visit the International Civil Service Commission website.
Additionally, the UN offer a list of attractive benefits and entitlements such as medical and dental insurance, pension scheme, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, life insurance, family leave, maternity/paternity adoption leave… the list goes on.
And lastly, holidays depending on your type of contract, you could be entitled to up to 30 days of vacation per year!
Remember that UN system posts at the main UN locations and at the senior level are the most competitive roles, so consider other options for an entry position or change of career, get in touch to see how we can help guide you with your career. Simply book your career appointment on UCCs website: https://unitedcareercoalition.org/book-un-career-appointment
If you are curious to learn what UN system recruiters may typically look out for and how to read a vacancy to structure your application documents incl. a cover letter for a UN system role, then download our webinar “Watch a cover letter be created for a UN system role” with tips and insights from UN insiders; available on demand.