Update: 2026 Federal Pay Raise Offically 1.0 Percent
2026 GS Pay Scale estimates after 1.0% federal pay raise announced in alternative pay plan. See projected locality pay scales for federal employees. Some federal law enforcement officers may get more.
2026 GS Pay Scale Table Estimates: 1.0% Federal Pay Raise in Alternative Pay Plan Letter from White House
The White House made a recent, somewhat surprising, announcement when the President’s pay agent published the alternative pay plan, indicating a likely 1.0% annual raise for all federal employees and a 3.8% salary increase for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). This article breaks down the proposed changes, review the estimated GS pay scale table for next year, and then examine the financial implications for the federal workforce.
Need a retirement escape plan? Register for a Federal Retirement Webinar and start preparing for life after service.
Overview of the 2026 Federal Pay Raise: No Adjustments to Locality Pay Rates
The 2026 federal pay raise was expected to be non-existent, as there was no mention of a raise in the most recent White House budget proposal. The alternative pay plan published at the end of last month, however, proposed a 1.0 percent across-the-board increase for most civilian federal employees with no changes to locality pay rates. This alternative pay plan deviates from earlier expectations of pay freeze, which seemed even more likely with no federal pay raise included in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed this summer. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will likely release the official 2026 GS pay scale table reflecting these changes in December, but estimated pay tables can be found below.
Details of the White House’s Alternative Pay Plan and Federal Employee Pay Raise
The alternative pay plan letter from the White House details the proposed 1.0% across-the-board annual salary increase for feds. Under this plan, the 2026 GS pay scale will see a uniform adjustment, affecting all pay grades. The 2025 federal pay raise was similarly small with a 1.7% bump in wages for all federal workers and 2.0% on average with locality adjustments factored in. The latest alternative pay plan does not include any changes locality pay. It is important to note that this 2026 pay increase is still subject to final approval, needing an act from Congress or an executive order to become official.
Estimate your retirement pension income with our FERS Benefit Calculator!
Additional Pay Raise in 2026 for Law Enforcement Officers: 3.8%
Federal law enforcement officers would see a different pay adjustment under the proposed 2026 alternative plan. While most federal employees are slated for a 1.0% across-the-board increase, federal law enforcement could receive a 3.8% pay raise. The GS base pay for law enforcement officers could see a more significant boost compared to other federal workers. However, it’s important to note that this potential pay raise for federal law enforcement is subject to the same approval process as the general schedule increase.
Effective Date of the Pay Raise for 2026 GS Pay Scale Table
The proposed pay raise from the 2026 pay plan letter, whether it’s the 1.0% across-the-board increase or the potential 3.8% raise for LEOs, is slated to go into effect on January 1, 2026 pending Trump’s signature. Although better than a pay freeze, the 1.0% raise would be the smallest since 2021, the last pay raise of the first Trump administration. The official 2026 GS pay scale table, once released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), will reflect these changes and provide federal employees with a clear understanding of their adjusted pay rates.
Projected 2026 General Schedule Pay Scale Table for Base Pay
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 22,584 | $ 23,341 | $ 24,092 | $ 24,840 | $ 25,589 | $ 26,028 | $ 26,771 | $ 27,519 | $ 27,550 | $ 28,250 |
| 2 | $ 25,393 | $ 25,997 | $ 26,839 | $ 27,550 | $ 27,861 | $ 28,681 | $ 29,500 | $ 30,320 | $ 31,139 | $ 31,959 |
| 3 | $ 27,708 | $ 28,631 | $ 29,555 | $ 30,478 | $ 31,402 | $ 32,325 | $ 33,248 | $ 34,172 | $ 35,095 | $ 36,019 |
| 4 | $ 31,103 | $ 32,139 | $ 33,175 | $ 34,212 | $ 35,248 | $ 36,285 | $ 37,322 | $ 38,358 | $ 39,394 | $ 40,430 |
| 5 | $ 34,799 | $ 35,958 | $ 37,118 | $ 38,278 | $ 39,437 | $ 40,597 | $ 41,756 | $ 42,916 | $ 44,075 | $ 45,236 |
| 6 | $ 38,791 | $ 40,084 | $ 41,378 | $ 42,670 | $ 43,964 | $ 45,257 | $ 46,550 | $ 47,844 | $ 49,137 | $ 50,430 |
| 7 | $ 43,106 | $ 44,543 | $ 45,980 | $ 47,417 | $ 48,855 | $ 50,291 | $ 51,728 | $ 53,165 | $ 54,603 | $ 56,039 |
| 8 | $ 47,738 | $ 49,328 | $ 50,920 | $ 52,511 | $ 54,102 | $ 55,693 | $ 57,284 | $ 58,875 | $ 60,467 | $ 62,057 |
| 9 | $ 52,727 | $ 54,484 | $ 56,242 | $ 57,999 | $ 59,757 | $ 61,514 | $ 63,271 | $ 65,029 | $ 66,786 | $ 68,544 |
| 10 | $ 58,064 | $ 59,999 | $ 61,934 | $ 63,869 | $ 65,805 | $ 67,740 | $ 69,675 | $ 71,610 | $ 73,545 | $ 75,480 |
| 11 | $ 63,795 | $ 65,921 | $ 68,047 | $ 70,173 | $ 72,300 | $ 74,426 | $ 76,552 | $ 78,678 | $ 80,804 | $ 82,931 |
| 12 | $ 76,463 | $ 79,012 | $ 81,561 | $ 84,109 | $ 86,657 | $ 89,205 | $ 91,754 | $ 94,303 | $ 96,851 | $ 99,399 |
| 13 | $ 90,925 | $ 93,956 | $ 96,987 | $ 100,018 | $ 103,050 | $ 106,081 | $ 109,112 | $ 112,143 | $ 115,174 | $ 118,205 |
| 14 | $ 107,446 | $ 111,028 | $ 114,610 | $ 118,191 | $ 121,773 | $ 125,355 | $ 128,937 | $ 132,518 | $ 136,101 | $ 139,682 |
| 15 | $ 126,384 | $ 130,596 | $ 134,809 | $ 139,021 | $ 143,234 | $ 147,446 | $ 151,659 | $ 155,871 | $ 160,083 | $ 164,296 |
Click here for the Historical Pay Raise Chart (1970 – 2025)
Understanding the GS Pay Table Structure for Federal Civilian Employees
The GS pay scale table is a structured system that determines the base pay for federal employees across various grade levels and steps. The 2026 pay scale will continue this established structure, with each grade representing a different level of responsibility and expertise. After the first pay period of next calendar year is complete, federal agency paychecks will reflect the increased pay rates. Within each grade, there are multiple steps, allowing for incremental pay raises as employees gain experience and demonstrate proficiency.
Estimated Pay Grades and Rates for 2026 Federal Workforce
Considering the proposed 1.0% across-the-board increase, we can estimate the pay rates for different pay grades within the GS pay scale. For instance, a GS-5, Step 1 employee’s base pay would increase by approximately 1.0% from the 2025 pay raise amount. Similarly, higher pay grades such as GS-12 or GS-15 would see proportional increases unless subject to the salary cap.
Comparison with 2025 GS Pay Scale
Comparing the new estimated GS pay tables with the current 2025 GS pay scale highlights the impact of the proposed 1.0% federal pay raise in 2026. While the base pay increase may seem modest, it does represent an adjustment to account for inflation and cost of living. By examining the 2025 pay raise figures alongside the estimated 2026 rates, federal employees can see the modest difference in their base pay.
2026 Pay Raise for Federal Employees and Financial Planning
Strategies for 2026 Budget and Retirement Planning
The anticipated 2026 pay raise, even at a proposed 1.0% across-the-board increase, presents an opportunity for federal employees to reassess their retirement planning strategies. This 2026 federal pay raise can serve as a catalyst to increase contributions to retirement accounts such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Even a small increase in contributions can significantly impact long-term savings due to the power of compounding. Consider adjusting your contribution rate to capture the full employer match, maximizing your retirement savings potential. Given that federal law enforcement officers would see a greater pay raise, they should strongly consider increasing their retirement contributions. Consulting a financial advisor that specializes in federal benefits can provide personalized guidance on optimizing retirement savings in light of the upcoming pay raise for the federal workforce in 2026.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fed-Expert Advisor.
Federal Law Enforcement Personnel: Budgeting for Increased Income in 2026
With the anticipation of the 2026 pay raise, federal employees (especially some categories of law enforcement personnel) should proactively adjust their household budgets to effectively manage the increased income. Creating a detailed budget allows for tracking income and expenses, identifying areas for potential savings, and allocating funds towards financial goals. Consider using the 2026 pay raise as an opportunity to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, or invest in personal development.
Reach Out to Us!
If you have additional federal benefit questions, contact our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultants (ChFEBC℠). At PlanWell, we are federal employee financial advisors with a focus on retirement planning. Learn more about our process designed for the career fed.
Preparing for federal retirement? Check out our scheduled federal retirement workshops. Sign up for our no-cost federal retirement webinars here! Make sure to plan ahead and reserve your seat for our FERS webinar, held every three weeks. Want to have PlanWell host a federal retirement seminar for your agency? Reach out, and we’ll collaborate with HR to arrange an on-site FERS seminar.
Want to fast-track your federal retirement plan? Skip the FERS webinar and start a one-on-one conversation with a ChFEBC today. You can schedule a one-on-one meeting here.
