2027 federal pay raise: latest status
The August 26 plan calls for a civilian pay freeze. Law enforcement has a separate 3.8% directive. Final tables are pending.
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- Presidential pay plan · OPM
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What has been announced?
The President’s August 26 alternative pay plan would keep civilian base and locality rates at 2026 levels. OPM is developing the separate law-enforcement increase through special-rate authorities.
| Pay group | Change | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian base & locality pay | 0% planned | Announced; final tables pending. Read the pay plan |
| Law enforcement | 3.8% directive | Separate special-rate process; coverage and caps apply. Read OPM’s guidance |
| Final 2027 schedules | Pending | Exact rates must come from published tables. Check OPM tables |
The civilian plan covers the General Schedule and certain other pay systems. Individual pay changes, military pay, and retiree COLAs follow separate rules.
2027 pay chart: a 0% scenario
These illustrative salaries show the announced civilian freeze assumption. They are not official 2027 GS grade-and-step rates. Each example assumes the same job, step, locality, and pay rules.
| Current annual pay | 2027 at 0% | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $60,000 | $0 |
| $80,000 | $80,000 | $0 |
| $100,000 | $100,000 | $0 |
| $120,000 | $120,000 | $0 |
| $150,000 | $150,000 | $0 |
For a verified starting point, look up the official 2026 GS pay scale. A promotion, step increase, special rate, or locality move can change your individual result.
Estimate a scenario for your salaryWhat changes for law enforcement?
The 3.8% directive is separate from the civilian base and locality adjustment. OPM is consulting agencies on covered positions. Salary caps may reduce or eliminate an employee’s increase.
OPM expects special-rate tables by year-end, with a tentative January 10, 2027 effective date. Use the final table for your position when it is published. See OPM’s coverage and timing guidance.
2027 federal pay raise questions
What is the federal pay raise for 2027?
The President’s August 26, 2026 alternative pay plan calls for a 0% general increase in civilian base and locality pay for 2027. Law enforcement has a separate 3.8% directive. Final 2027 OPM salary tables are still pending in the sources reviewed on September 9, 2026.
Is the 2027 pay freeze final?
An alternative pay plan has been announced, but it is not a published salary schedule. Final implementing action or controlling legislation, followed by OPM tables, determines the payable rates. The announced plan can still change.
Does the plan freeze locality pay too?
Yes. The announced civilian plan keeps both base pay and locality rates at their 2026 levels. A move to another locality, promotion, or other individual pay action can still change an employee’s salary.
Who will receive the 3.8% law-enforcement increase?
OPM is consulting agencies on which positions will be covered by the 2027 special rates. Final coverage will be announced with the tables. Pay caps can reduce or eliminate an individual increase, so 3.8% should not be applied automatically to every law-enforcement salary.
Can I still receive a step increase?
A general pay adjustment and a within-grade increase are separate. Eligible GS employees can advance a step when they meet the performance and waiting-period requirements and have not received an equivalent increase during that waiting period.
When will the 2027 pay tables be available?
Final 2027 tables are not in the OPM salary inventory reviewed for this update. For law-enforcement special rates, OPM expects tables by year-end and gives a tentative January 10, 2027 effective date. Check the published table for your position before relying on an exact amount.
Will the calculator match my actual paycheck?
The tool multiplies annual salary by a planning percentage. It does not calculate deductions, table rounding, separate locality changes, caps, promotions, or special rates. Monthly and 26-pay-period figures are budgeting averages, not payroll amounts.
Is this the 2027 retiree COLA?
No. This page covers employee salary adjustments. Federal retiree cost-of-living adjustments follow different rules and a separate timetable.
Updates and next steps
- · Page reviewed
- Added the announced freeze, OPM’s law-enforcement guidance, and salary examples. Final 2027 tables remain pending.
- · Alternative pay plan issued
- The President announced the civilian freeze and separate law-enforcement directive. The letter was ordered printed by Congress on August 27.
- · Page first published
- Introduced the planning calculator while awaiting official 2027 pay information.
Next, check for final implementing action and OPM schedules. This page is reviewed weekly and after major official announcements. Published tables will replace assumptions once verified.
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