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Federal Pay Plans and Schedules

The information on this website reflects grades or salaries in effect as of the date that each agency last certified its data.

Executive Schedule (EX)

The Executive Schedule is divided into five pay levels, I-V. Positions eligible for the Executive Schedule are statutorily authorized for each level.

Note:

Section 747 of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, continues a freeze on the rates of pay for certain senior political officials through the end of the last day of the last pay period that begins in calendar year 2023 (i.e., January 13, 2024, for those on the standard biweekly pay period cycle).

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General Schedule (GS)

Initial appointments to positions under the General Schedule are normally made at the minimum rate of the grade, although under certain circumstances, individuals with superior qualifications or fulfilling a special agency need may be paid at a rate above the minimum rate.

Step increases are granted to GS employees at the end of 52 weeks of service in steps 1, 2, and 3 of each grade; at the end of 104 weeks of service in steps 4, 5, and 6; and at the end of 156 weeks of service in steps 7, 8, and 9. An employee’s work must be determined to be of an acceptable level of competence before granting a step increase. In addition to the periodic step increase, an employee whose work is outstanding may be advanced to the next higher step rate no more than once every 52 weeks. In addition to the basic pay rates, GS employees are entitled to locality-based comparability payments for their respective locality pay area. The employee's locality rate of pay may not exceed the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule. Certain GS employees may receive higher special rates instead of locality rates established to address significant recruitment or retention problems.

Note:

Locality pay areas are defined in 5 CFR 531.603(b).

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Special Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Pay Schedules

Law Enforcement officers at grades GS-3 through GS-10 are entitled to special base rates that are higher than General Schedule base rates. Such LEOs receive the locality payments applicable in their locality pay area on top of these special base rates. The locality pay area definitions and pay percentages are the same as those used for regular General Schedule employees.

Note:

These special base rates for law enforcement officers (as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 5541(3) and 5 CFR 550.103) are authorized by section 403 of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990, as amended. By law, these rates must be the basis for computing locality payments. (5 CFR part 531, subpart F.)

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