Skip to content
  • FS
  • Retirement
  • Pay & Benefits
  • HR
  • Agency News
  • Topics
    • TSP News
    • OPM Updates
    • Workforce News
    • Court Cases
    • Leadership
    • Q&A
  • Authors
FedSmith.com

Pay Raise

Stay updated on the latest federal pay raise news, including annual General Schedule (GS) pay adjustments, proposed increases, locality pay changes, and policy decisions that shape federal employee salaries. Explore analysis of White House and Congressional proposals, OPM guidance, economic factors influencing pay decisions, and historical trends in federal pay raises. Find clear explanations and timely updates to help federal employees understand how upcoming pay changes may affect their earnings and take‑home pay.

The Federal Pay System Is Designed to Lag—and the Data Prove It

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithDec 17, 2025 11:33 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Scale tipped towards one side due to having three bags of money on it versus only one bag on the higher side

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.

Comparing the Federal Pay Raise and COLA: A 20-Year Historical Perspective

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithDec 12, 2025 7:35 AM Categories Retirement, Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Bag of money next to a jar of coins

Federal pay raises and COLAs both adjust income annually—see how they compare historically and impact federal employees and retirees.

Federal Pay Raises Decoded: Are Democrats or Republicans More Generous?

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 16, 2025 8:35 AM | Updated: Sep 22, 2025 8:34 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Two stacks of cash on the ends of an evenly balanced balance beam; the stack on the left is smaller than the one on the right

Politics and your paycheck. What were the largest federal pay raises since 1970? Average salaries went from $101,610 in Sept 2023 to $109,879 by March.

2026 Federal Pay Raise: Which Law Enforcement Officers Will Get the Full 3.8%?

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithSep 5, 2025 3:24 PM | Updated: Sep 14, 2025 8:27 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Stacks of gold coins around a question mark on a white index card all set against a white background

OPM reveals which law enforcement roles qualify for the 3.8% 2026 federal pay raise—find out who gets more than the standard 1%.

2026 Federal Pay Raise: 1% for GS, 3.8% for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs)

FedSmith.com author Ralph R. SmithBy Ralph R. SmithSep 2, 2025 9:05 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Silver 3D dollar signs on a solid blue background

LEOs win big in 2026 pay plan: 3.8% raise vs. just 1% for other others under GS as locality pay frozen.

Trump Defies Expectations, Grants 1% 2026 Federal Pay Raise

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithSep 1, 2025 8:51 AM | Updated: Dec 16, 2025 6:55 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Spread of $100 bills tucked into a burlap bag against a solid white background

In a surprise move, President Trump has authorized a pay raise for federal employees in 2026.

Trump’s Upcoming Pay Plan Letter: What It Means for Federal Employees

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithAug 27, 2025 5:01 PM | Updated: Sep 1, 2025 8:53 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Illustration of a person's hand holding a magnifying glass over a spread of money studying finances

Federal pay hinges on one letter. Trump’s 2026 version could surprise—or disappoint.

Pay Parity May Be a Good Argument for the 2026 Federal Pay Raise

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithJun 3, 2025 7:45 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Scale tipped towards one side due to having three bags of money on it versus only one bag on the higher side

Pay parity is likely to be an argument for a higher federal pay raise in 2026 as the annual pay raise process unfolds.

Bill Proposes 4.3% 2026 Federal Pay Raise

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithJan 16, 2025 3:31 PM | Updated: Jan 18, 2025 10:22 AM Categories Pay & Benefits Leave a comment
Close up of the face of Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill

Legislation has been introduced to give federal employees a 4.3% pay raise in 2026.

Looking Back on 2024: Federal Pay Raise, an Election, and More

FedSmith.com author Ian SmithBy Ian SmithDec 31, 2024 11:50 AM Categories Federal Workforce News Leave a comment
Words 'year in review' written in a torn edge design surrounded by paperclips

What were the biggest events of 2024 for federal employees?

Older posts
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5 … Page28 Next →

Free Email Lists

Subscribe to our free email list to get our news updates in your inbox.

Use a personal email if possible (i.e. Gmail); some agencies restrict emails from lists
Choose Lists:

Daily TSP Performance

April 1, 2026

Fund Last % YTD
G Fund $19.7939 +0.01% +1.05%
F Fund $20.8929 +0.01% +0.05%
C Fund $105.5194 +0.72% -3.65%
S Fund $99.8332 +0.66% -0.57%
I Fund $57.7086 +2.11% +3.99%
L Income $29.4203 +0.35% +0.61%
L 2030 $58.1639 +0.68% +0.11%
L 2035 $17.6744 +0.80% -0.03%
L 2040 $67.6954 +0.87% -0.13%
L 2045 $18.7140 +0.93% -0.22%
L 2050 $41.4218 +0.99% -0.31%
L 2055 $21.3088 +1.19% -0.56%
L 2060 $21.3063 +1.19% -0.56%
L 2065 $21.3037 +1.19% -0.56%
L 2070 $12.6263 +1.19% -0.56%
L 2075 $11.0291 +1.19% -0.56%
Get detailed TSP data at TSPDataCenter.com

Archives

Popular Tags

AFGE Annuity Backlog Bargaining Budget COLA COVID CSRS Data Breach Donald Trump Election Employee Relations Executive Order FedSmith Polls FEGLI FEHB FERS FLRA FRTIB GAO General Schedule Government Shutdown Hatch Act Hiring Holidays Inflation Insurance IRA IRS Labor Relations Locality Pay Medicare MSPB Official Time OPM Pay Raise Postal Service Proposed Legislation Roth Social Security Taxes Telework Travel TSP Unions VA Vaccinations

FedSmith.com is a certified Ezoic Premium publisher
© 2026 FedSmith Inc. All rights reserved.
  • About
  • Write for Us
  • Resources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use