Federal pay raise history
Federal Civilian Pay Growth Since 2001
The model's Rest of U.S. GS-12 step 1 gross salary increased from its 2001 level to $89,508 in 2026. Recent across-the-board General Schedule increases were 4.7% in 2024, 1.7% in 2025, and 1.0% in 2026; locality effects can make an employee's total increase differ.
ActualForecastAssumptionInterpretation
Last reviewed August 22, 2026
What the numbers show
- Across-the-board raises and locality-pay changes are distinct components.
- The model uses published Rest of U.S. annual tables rather than applying one headline percentage to every year.
- 2027 is shown as a 0% scenario assumption and is not mixed into the actual history.
Selected Rest of U.S. GS-12 step 1 values
| Year | Gross salary | After new-hire FERS | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | $51,927 | $51,512 | Actual |
| 2010 | $68,809 | $68,259 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,721 | $73,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,962 | $83,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,621 | $84,722 | Actual |
| 2026 | $89,508 | $85,570 | Actual |
| 2027F | $89,508 | $85,570 | Forecast |
Recent across-the-board increases
| Calendar year | Civilian GS across-the-board | Military basic pay | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.7% | 5.2% | Actual |
| 2025 | 1.7% | 4.5% | Actual |
| 2026 | 1.0% | 3.8% | Actual |
| 2027 | 0% model assumption | 6% O-1–O-3; 5% O-4–O-6 | Forecast |
Why the salary table is the source of truth
The project records the value published for each selected grade and step in each year. That approach captures the combined effect present in the applicable Rest of U.S. table. Current 2026 values can be checked directly against the OPM 2026 Rest of U.S. table.