A decade of data shows federal pay raises usually trail the Employment Cost Index and inflation, revealing how the pay system is structured to lag the broader labor market.
Federal pay surged during the Biden years as locality pay areas grew, driving six‑figure salaries higher despite modest workforce growth and rising telework.
Locality pay is a significant benefit for federal employees. Where do employees have the highest and lowest pay raises in 2025?
The latest President’s Pay Agent report contains important information about what federal employees can expect with regards to 2025 locality pay.
How has the federal workforce changed under Presidents Trump and Biden? Here is a summary of racial composition, total federal employment and salary increases.
A new CBO report found that total compensation of federal employees is 5% higher on average than their private sector counterparts.
The Biden administration has focused on racial equity. Recent data indicate the policies are working as minorities in the federal workforce increase and whites decrease.
OPM is placing restrictions on the use of salary history to ensure equitable pay outcomes for newly hired federal employees.
The average federal salary now tops $100,000—not including the 5.25% average pay raise in 2024. Most federal employees are now in a locality pay area.
Which racial groups have the highest and lowest average salaries? OPM is seeking greater equity by eliminating consideration of prior salary history.
