Public sector CIOs who earn more than the prime minister

Seven chief information officers (CIOs) are among the highest paid civil servants in the UK, earning a maximum of £250,000.

The list of 173 civil servants who earn more than the prime minister was published today by the Cabinet Office in an attempt to increase transparency in government.

The highest IT earner is Joe Harley, the IT director general and CIO at the Department for Work and Pensions, who earns between £245,000 and £249,999.

Government CIO John Suffolk takes home between £205,000 and £209,999 a year.

He is followed by the CIO at the Department of Health, Christine Connelly, who earns between £200,000 and £204,999. The department also pays its ICT director, Martin Bellamy, between £160,000 and £164,999.

Phil Pavitt, CIO at HM Revenue & Customs, earns £180,000 to £184,999, and Andy Nelson at the Ministry of Justice earns £190,000 to £194,999.

The last top earner is Nick Ramsay at the Ministry of Justice, who earns between £160,000 and £164,000 as its director of ICT portfolio and programmes.

The average advertised salary for London-based public sector IT directors was £97,000 in the first quarter of 2010, according to the SSL salary survey. The average figures for software houses in outer London was £110,000, while in retail it was £111,000.

The list included everyone in Whitehall who earns more than £150,000, with its publication being overseen by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.

He said, "Transparency is at the heart of the government's programme, which is why the Cabinet Office, at the heart of government, is taking the lead. All departments will open up their data in the weeks ahead."

The move is part of the government's pledge to open up public sector data.