Pay Rate Adjustments (E.O. 14061)

Summary

Updates the pay schedules for many federal workers, including military members, judges, and senior executives, for the year 2022.

What problem does this solve?

Federal pay rates need to be adjusted regularly to keep up with the cost of living. This order officially sets the new pay scales for various government jobs to make sure workers are paid fairly.

What does this order do?

Updates the General Schedule (GS) pay rates

Sets the new basic pay rates for employees under the General Schedule, which covers most white-collar federal civilian employees.

Adjusts pay for the Uniformed Services

Establishes the new monthly basic pay rates for members of the military and the monthly pay for cadets and midshipmen.

Sets salaries for senior government officials

Defines the pay rates for the Vice President, members of Congress, federal judges, and senior executives.

Establishes locality-based pay adjustments

Authorizes extra payments to adjust federal salaries based on the cost of living in different geographic areas.

Replaces a previous pay order

Supersedes Executive Order 13970 from the previous year, making these new pay schedules the current official rates.

Who does this affect?

Federal civilian employees
Members of the uniformed services
Federal judges and senior government officials

What is the real world impact?

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Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for federal workers

Adjusts the salaries of federal employees, including military personnel, to keep up with rising costs. This is a routine annual process to ensure government wages remain competitive.

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Ensures government can attract and retain talent

By regularly updating pay scales, the federal government can better compete with private companies for skilled workers. Failing to adjust pay could make it hard to hire and keep good employees.

When does this start?

The new pay rates take effect at different times, with military pay starting January 1, 2022, and other schedules starting with the first pay period on or after that date.

Uniformed Services Pay

The new pay schedule for members of the uniformed services is effective January 1, 2022.

All Other Pay Schedules

All other pay schedules, including the General Schedule, become effective on the first day of the first pay period that begins on or after January 1, 2022.