What is Pay Scale GS?
The Pay Scale GS (General Schedule) is a system used to determine salaries for most white-collar employees in the United States government. It was established in 1949 and has undergone various changes since then, but it remains the primary method for determining federal workers' pay. In this article, we will explore the Pay Scale GS in depth, including its structure, how it is determined, and its benefits.
About 1.5 million civilian white-collar Federal employees worldwide who work in professional, technical, administrative, and clerical roles are classified and paid under the Pay Scale (GS) system. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) oversees the administration of pay scale GS classification standards, requirements, pay structure, and related human resources policies such as general staffing and pay administration policies on a government-wide scale. Each agency categorizes its Pay Scale GS positions, fills those positions with pay scale GS personnel, and pays them following the law and OPM regulations.
The Pay Scale GS is adjusted each year based on the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures changes in the costs of wages and benefits for workers in the private sector. This adjustment ensures that federal salaries remain competitive compared to the private sector.
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Structure of the Pay Scale GS
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The pay scale GS has 15 pay grades, from GS-1 to GS-15. Each pay grade has 10 steps, with employees generally advancing to the next step every 1-3 years, depending on their performance. The higher the grade and step, the higher the pay. For example, a GS-1 step 1 employee would earn less than a GS-15 step 10 employee.
GS-1 is the lowest grade, and GS-15 is the highest in the Pay Scale GS. Each job's grade is determined (classified) by the agency based on the level of difficulty, responsibility, and required credentials.
Each step rate equals about 3% of the employee's pay. There are waiting periods of one year at steps 1-3, two years at steps 4-6, and three years at stages 7-9 before step raises within a grade are granted. If an employee stays in the same Pay Scale GS grade, it typically takes 18 years to go up from step 1 to step 10. However, employees with exceptional (or comparable) performance ratings may be considered for extra, high-quality step increases (up to one per year).
A new Pay Scale GS employee is usually hired at step one of the applicable Pay Scale GS grade. However, under exceptional conditions, agencies may approve a higher step rate for a newly appointed Federal employee based on a unique requirement of the agency or the applicant's superior qualifications. According to the policies of the gaining agency, current Federal employees who transfer to a Pay Scale GS post but are not considered newly appointed may have their pay determined above step 1 based merely on a prior Federal civilian rate of pay (i.e., the maximum payable rate rule).
GS-1: Entry-level positions such as file clerk, data entry clerk, or cashier.
GS-2: Jobs requiring experience beyond a high school diploma, such as a security guard, library technician, or medical support assistant.
GS-3: Positions requiring post-high school education or equivalent experience, such as a park ranger, administrative assistant, or mail clerk.
GS-4: Jobs that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, such as an accounting technician, purchasing agent, or claims examiner.
GS-5: Positions that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, such as a research assistant, management assistant, or HR assistant.
GS-6: Jobs that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus some specialized training, such as an environmental protection specialist, computer operator, or logistics management specialist.
GS-7: Positions that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus some specialized experience or training, such as a program analyst, aviation safety technician, or budget analyst. This pay grade typically represents an entry-level position for professionals such as scientists and engineers who have recently graduated from university or have limited relevant experience. For instance, individuals with a Bachelor's Degree and hired under the Pathways Internship Program usually start at GS-7.
GS-8: Jobs that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as an IT specialist, contract specialist, or engineering technician. Typically, the GS-8 pay grade is occupied by mid-level white-collar employees.
GS-9: Positions that require a master's degree or equivalent experience, plus some specialized experience or training, such as an environmental engineer, human resources specialist, or program manager. Individuals who hold a Master's Degree or have several years of relevant experience typically start at the GS-9 level. Those hired under the Pathways Internship Program will start at GS-9 if they have a Master's Degree and after only one year of service if they have a Bachelor's Degree.
GS-10: Jobs that require a master's degree or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as an IT project manager, operations research analyst, or supervisory contract specialist.
GS-11: Positions that require a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, plus some specialized experience or training, such as a physicist, economist, or technical writer.
GS-12: Jobs that require a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as a program manager, intelligence analyst, or information security specialist. It's worth noting that the GS-12 pay grade represents the highest grade one can achieve before the position becomes "Career Competitive." This means the position must be listed on USAJobs.gov and available for any qualified U.S. citizen to apply. As positions above GS-12 are highly competitive and harder to obtain, many scientists and engineers reach GS-12 within the first 3 to 5 years of their careers. They may spend significant time at this pay grade before being promoted.
GS-13: Positions that require a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as an attorney, financial manager, or foreign affairs specialist. Typically, GS-13 positions are top-level jobs that highly skilled workers fill with advanced degrees or specialized technical knowledge.
Promotion to grades below GS-13 can be given automatically without any public notice. Unlike lower grades, GS-13 positions and above are classified as "Career Competitive," meaning they must be posted on the USAJobs.gov website for all eligible U.S. citizens to apply. Typically, organizations have a limited number of GS-13 positions, often involving leading a team of around ten people.
GS-14: Jobs that require a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as a senior executive, medical officer, or research psychologist. GS-14 positions are advanced for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their field. These positions are often supervisory, sometimes with up to 100 people reporting to them. There are also science, engineering, and research positions at GS-14 comparable to university professor-level positions.
GS-15: Positions that require a Ph.D. or equivalent experience, plus significant specialized experience or training, such as a senior scientist, top-level executive, or foreign service officer. The GS-15 pay grade is typically reserved for high-level positions, including supervisors, technical specialists, and professionals with advanced degrees.
Beyond the GS-15 pay grade is the Senior Executive Service (SES), reserved for top-level executive positions and the government's most distinguished researchers. GS-15 pay is limited to level V of the Executive Schedule.
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How are Pay Scale GS Calculated?
Pay Scale GS Grade Level: Each grade has a corresponding salary range. The higher the grade level, the higher the salary range.
Step: Advancing from one step to the next within a grade level usually increases pay. Step increases are usually given annually or bi-annually based on an employee's performance.
Locality Pay: Locality pay adjusts GS salaries for living costs in different geographic areas. The amount of locality pay varies depending on the employee's duty station. Federal employees in high-cost areas receive higher locality pay than those in lower-cost areas.
Other Factors Used in Determining Pay Scale GS Salaries
Special Pay Rates: Special pay rates are additional adjustments given to certain Pay Scale GS employees. These adjustments may be given for working in a hazardous or difficult environment, having specialized skills, or working in a high-demand field.
Performance: An employee's performance is a factor that may affect their salary. Federal agencies use performance ratings to determine whether an employee is eligible for a step increase, which can result in a salary increase.
Education and Experience: Education and experience may also be factors used to determine a Pay Scale GS employee's salary. Higher education degrees and relevant work experience may result in a higher starting salary or faster advancement within a grade level.
Occupation and Job Location: A Pay Scale GS employee's occupation and job location can also affect their salary. Some positions may have a higher salary range due to the level of responsibility, specialized skills required, or demand for the position. Additionally, salaries may vary depending on the geographic location of the job.
Related: How do you decide what to pay an individual employee?
2023 General Schedule Basic Pay for each Pay Scale GS Grade
Advantages of Pay Scale GS
Consistent pay:The pay scale GS provides a consistent pay system across the government, ensuring employees are paid fairly for their work.
Regular pay increases: Within each grade level, employees receive regular pay increases based on their performance, time in grade, and cost of living adjustments.
Transparent pay system: The pay scale GS is transparent, which means that employees can easily understand how their pay is determined and what they need to do to advance to higher pay grades.
Retirement benefits: Civilian government employees under the pay scale GS are eligible for a retirement plan that provides a consistent income in retirement.
Health insurance: Civilian government employees under the pay scale GS are eligible for health insurance coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
Job security: Government jobs are generally considered more secure than jobs in the private sector, as government agencies are less likely to lay off employees during times of economic downturn.
Disadvantages of Pay Scale GS
Limited salary increases: The salary increases for each pay grade are predetermined, which means that employees may feel limited in earning more money without being promoted to a higher pay grade.
Slow advancement: Advancement within the pay scale GS is typically based on seniority and performance evaluations, meaning it may take years to move up to a higher pay grade.
Lack of flexibility: The pay scale is fixed, so there is little room for negotiation or customization based on an individual's skills or experience.
Complexity: The pay scale GS can be complicated to understand, with multiple steps and grades varying based on location and agency.
Limited opportunities for non-traditional careers: The pay scale GS is primarily designed for traditional government positions, which means there may be limited opportunities for those interested in non-traditional career paths within the government.
Conclusion
The pay scale GS is an important tool the United States government uses to attract and retain talented employees in a wide range of positions. It provides a clear and transparent system for determining salaries and ensures that federal workers are compensated fairly for their work. The system is not perfect, and there are certainly areas for improvement. However, overall, the pay scale GS has successfully achieved its goals of providing competitive salaries and equal pay for equal work.