Federal employee pay raise 2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how this works for ses with a performance increase?

You don’t get an automatic increase. Individual SES increase is determined by your performance rating and comparison against other executives in the pool. If you were at the cap of your tier, you can realize your performance based increase up to the new cap of $203,700 (assuming you are level 2). For example, this year I earned a 5 rating (outstanding) and was given a 3.75 percent salary increase. I won’t get the full increase because it would put me over level 2. But I’ll realize 2.6 percent of the 3.75 percent in this situation. Had the cap not increased this year, I would not have realized any of that 3.75 percent performance pay increase.

Yeah, but SES receives their money in the big bonuses.

Yes—you are correct (mostly). Some agencies don’t give large bonuses to its SES. One of my buddies only got $4k (before tax) this year. Ive been executive for 4 years now and my lowest bonus was $11k and highest was $19.5k. I don’t complain in the years where I don’t realize any performance increase because of the bonuses.

[Anonymous]

Where I work, large SES bonuses are not guaranteed. I treat it like extra.

[Anonymous]

With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

I would argue we are mostly at the point where switching from a high step 14 to a 15 is absolutely not worth the difference. I’m a 14 step 7. I don’t really see the value of going for a 15, which is so much more responsibility for a 15, step 4 for a less than a $12k increase and be immediately back into 2 years between steps anyway, so it’s not exactly a fast move up the ladder to additional increases. I’m due for my step 8 this year, I’m pretty happy with where I am with compensation versus workload/responsibilities. The 15s seem much more stressed and such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

I would argue we are mostly at the point where switching from a high step 14 to a 15 is absolutely not worth the difference. I’m a 14 step 7. I don’t really see the value of going for a 15, which is so much more responsibility for a 15, step 4 for a less than a $12k increase and be immediately back into 2 years between steps anyway, so it’s not exactly a fast move up the ladder to additional increases. I’m due for my step 8 this year, I’m pretty happy with where I am with compensation versus workload/responsibilities. The 15s seem much more stressed and such.

Same situation with me. Not worth the effort for an extra $400-500/mo(after taxes). Feds need to change the pay structure. Gs-15 should be lucrative job but a lot of high performers at my agency don't take them.

[Anonymous]

This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

In what universe would this align with salaries for lawyers and doctors in the private sector?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

I would argue we are mostly at the point where switching from a high step 14 to a 15 is absolutely not worth the difference. I’m a 14 step 7. I don’t really see the value of going for a 15, which is so much more responsibility for a 15, step 4 for a less than a $12k increase and be immediately back into 2 years between steps anyway, so it’s not exactly a fast move up the ladder to additional increases. I’m due for my step 8 this year, I’m pretty happy with where I am with compensation versus workload/responsibilities. The 15s seem much more stressed and such.

Exact same position here and I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

In what universe would this align with salaries for lawyers and doctors in the private sector?

I knew somebody would be too literal. What I meant was—i see my proposal as the “public sector equivalent.” We are never going to be paid $300k to $800k in public sector (maybe in the year 2050). My proposal ups the scale a good 20-30k for the 15 level and 50-60k for executive levels. At the rate we are going it would take 6 years (assuming a 2% increase each year) for a GS-15 to reach 200k. By then we’d be further behind.

But hey-this is all hypothetical!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

In what universe would this align with salaries for lawyers and doctors in the private sector?

I knew somebody would be too literal. What I meant was—i see my proposal as the “public sector equivalent.” We are never going to be paid $300k to $800k in public sector (maybe in the year 2050). My proposal ups the scale a good 20-30k for the 15 level and 50-60k for executive levels. At the rate we are going it would take 6 years (assuming a 2% increase each year) for a GS-15 to reach 200k. By then we’d be further behind.

But hey-this is all hypothetical!

Right, but capping non supervisory roles would actually be a pay cut for those of us who are with their grades and have moved up the ladder. I would never expect to be paid the equivalent of a private sector lawyer, but please don’t purpose to knock us down further. I’ve never even heard of a supervisory 14 attorney, yet most attorneys in my basically all attorney agency end up staying as 14s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

In what universe would this align with salaries for lawyers and doctors in the private sector?

I knew somebody would be too literal. What I meant was—i see my proposal as the “public sector equivalent.” We are never going to be paid $300k to $800k in public sector (maybe in the year 2050). My proposal ups the scale a good 20-30k for the 15 level and 50-60k for executive levels. At the rate we are going it would take 6 years (assuming a 2% increase each year) for a GS-15 to reach 200k. By then we’d be further behind.

But hey-this is all hypothetical!

Right, but capping non supervisory roles would actually be a pay cut for those of us who are with their grades and have moved up the ladder. I would never expect to be paid the equivalent of a private sector lawyer, but please don’t purpose to knock us down further. I’ve never even heard of a supervisory 14 attorney, yet most attorneys in my basically all attorney agency end up staying as 14s.

Argh, stupid typos. Those of us happy with our grades and “propose.” I really need to stop trying to reply on my phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This should be federal pay structure:

SES- $200,000 to $260,000

15 - $160,000 to $210,000 (non supervisory cap at $180k)

14 - $110,000 to $170,000 (non supervisory cap at $150k)

13 - $95,000 to $135,000 (non supervisory cap at $120k)

This pay structure would largely align with equivalent jobs in private sector

In what universe would this align with salaries for lawyers and doctors in the private sector?

I knew somebody would be too literal. What I meant was—i see my proposal as the “public sector equivalent.” We are never going to be paid $300k to $800k in public sector (maybe in the year 2050). My proposal ups the scale a good 20-30k for the 15 level and 50-60k for executive levels. At the rate we are going it would take 6 years (assuming a 2% increase each year) for a GS-15 to reach 200k. By then we’d be further behind.

But hey-this is all hypothetical!

Right, but capping non supervisory roles would actually be a pay cut for those of us who are with their grades and have moved up the ladder. I would never expect to be paid the equivalent of a private sector lawyer, but please don’t purpose to knock us down further. I’ve never even heard of a supervisory 14 attorney, yet most attorneys in my basically all attorney agency end up staying as 14s.

We had supervisory 14 attorney at my last agency. You make a good point though. At the same time, I do feel like folks in a supervisory position should get a little more compensation. But stains may be hard to implement especially in the field and at levels lower than 13.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

I would argue we are mostly at the point where switching from a high step 14 to a 15 is absolutely not worth the difference. I’m a 14 step 7. I don’t really see the value of going for a 15, which is so much more responsibility for a 15, step 4 for a less than a $12k increase and be immediately back into 2 years between steps anyway, so it’s not exactly a fast move up the ladder to additional increases. I’m due for my step 8 this year, I’m pretty happy with where I am with compensation versus workload/responsibilities. The 15s seem much more stressed and such.

14-6 due for my 7 next fall here, and I couldn't agree with you more. I wanted my 15 but took a step back and realized it was only for the sake of saying I got it. The money is not enough of a difference to lose sleep over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With this raise, very soon the max of GS-14 is going to be as much as the high of GS-15 in DC and other high income localities. It won't be worth going for a job with more responsibility. The pay system for feds need to be revamped completely.

I would argue we are mostly at the point where switching from a high step 14 to a 15 is absolutely not worth the difference. I’m a 14 step 7. I don’t really see the value of going for a 15, which is so much more responsibility for a 15, step 4 for a less than a $12k increase and be immediately back into 2 years between steps anyway, so it’s not exactly a fast move up the ladder to additional increases. I’m due for my step 8 this year, I’m pretty happy with where I am with compensation versus workload/responsibilities. The 15s seem much more stressed and such.

14-6 due for my 7 next fall here, and I couldn't agree with you more. I wanted my 15 but took a step back and realized it was only for the sake of saying I got it. The money is not enough of a difference to lose sleep over.

If you have a partner, 15s are not worth the extra headache. What really needs to be standardized is the number of employees that you are responsible for. Some manage 10, while others manage staff in the hundreds.

[Anonymous]

the whole GS pay scale needs to be changed. A lot of people at the lower level ended up doing much better than they would in the private sector but professional like Phds, doctors, lawyers suffer.