Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
The order sets new pay rates for federal civilian employees, members of the uniformed services, and senior officials across all three branches of government, effective at the start of the first pay period on or after January 1, 2026.
What this order does
What it orders
The order establishes updated pay schedules for the General Schedule (covering most federal civilian workers), the Foreign Service, Veterans Health Administration medical staff, the Senior Executive Service, the Executive Schedule, Congress and the Vice President, federal judges, and uniformed military personnel. It supersedes the prior annual pay order issued December 23, 2024. It also directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to assess whether to provide up to a total increase of 3.8 percent — inclusive of the general adjustment — to the pay of certain federal civilian law enforcement personnel.
Locality-based comparability payments (which supplement base pay to reflect regional cost-of-living differences) are also set by the order, with OPM directed to publish the required notice in the Federal Register. Uniformed-services pay takes effect January 1, 2026; civilian pay schedules take effect on the first applicable pay period beginning on or after that date.
Who it affects
Federal civilian employees on the General Schedule, Foreign Service officers, Veterans Health Administration medical staff, Senior Executive Service members, members of Congress, the Vice President, federal judges, and active-duty military and uniformed-service members whose pay is governed by Title 37.
Why it matters
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees and uniformed service members will see updated paychecks beginning in early 2026. Federal law enforcement personnel may receive up to a 3.8 percent total increase depending on OPM's assessment and coordination with agencies.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
Pay schedules attached to the order take effect automatically on the specified dates. OPM must implement locality-based comparability payments and publish notice in the Federal Register. For federal civilian law enforcement, OPM must first coordinate with agencies and assess whether the enhanced rate (up to 3.8 percent total) is warranted under 5 U.S.C. 5305 before any supplemental increase is applied. The prior pay order (EO 14132) is superseded once the new schedules become effective.
Actions and deadlines
- Implement locality-based comparability payments and publish notice in the Federal Register
- Assess whether to provide up to 3.8 percent total pay increase for federal civilian law enforcement personnel
- Uniformed services pay rates take effect
- Civilian pay schedules take effect on first applicable pay period