No Federal Pay Raise for Federal Employees in 2026 Budget Request

The Biden administration’s fiscal year president's budget request 2026 does not include a pay raise for federal employees, continuing the pay freeze already in place for 2025.

According to documents released in early June 2025, the proposal maintains a 0% increase in basic pay for most federal civilian employees. The decision affects a wide range of government workers, including General Schedule (GS) employees, and continues the administration’s stance on limiting federal workforce compensation growth amidst broader budgetary constraints.

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0% Federal Pay Raise in 2026 Proposal

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The proposed freeze was confirmed in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) documentation, which outlines the administration’s priorities for FY2026. While federal agencies may still receive increases in funding for operations and staffing, no additional funding is allocated for across-the-board salary increases.

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The federal employee pay raise 2026 freeze is consistent with the administration’s earlier approach to federal compensation during a period of fiscal restraint. This comes despite recommendations from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which previously advised a 3.3% increase based on the Employment Cost Index. Federal unions and advocacy groups have also pushed for higher raises through legislative efforts like the FAIR Act, which proposed a 4.3% pay raise.

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Which Federal Workers Are Affected?

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The freeze applies to most federal civilian workers, including:

• General Schedule (GS) employees
  
  
• Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES)
  
  
• Certain political appointees
  
  

These groups will not receive any base salary adjustments under the current 2026 budget request, though individual agencies may still provide step increases, promotions, or locality-based adjustments under existing compensation policies.

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Legislative and Administrative Options Remain

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Although the federal pay raise was not included in the initial budget, there are still potential pathways for a raise to be introduced later in the year.

• By August 31, the President may submit an alternative pay plan under Title 5 U.S. Code, which could establish a raise through executive authority.
  
  
• By December, the President may issue an executive order implementing a final pay decision before the start of the new calendar year.
  
  

Congress may also propose pay increases through appropriations legislation or supplemental funding bills. In past years, bipartisan pressure and union lobbying have led to pay increases despite initial proposals to the contrary.

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Historical Context and Union Reaction

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Federal pay increases in recent years have varied:

• 2023: 4.6% average raise
  
  
• 2024: 5.2% average raise
  
  
• 2025: 0% (current freeze)
  
  
• 2026: 0% (proposed continuation)
  
  

This downward shift has led to growing concerns among employee unions, who argue that the freeze will negatively affect recruitment, retention, and morale across the federal workforce. You can also check out the gs pay scale 2025.

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In response to the 2026 proposal, several union leaders have called on Congress to intervene. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) are urging lawmakers to reject the freeze and support a more competitive compensation model that reflects rising living costs.

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What Comes Next?

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As the federal budget moves through the legislative process, the fate of the federal employee pay raise 2026 remains uncertain. Key dates to watch include:

• Late summer: Announcement of any alternative pay plan
  
  
• Year-end: Final executive order confirming 2026 pay structure
  
  
• January 2026: Implementation of the approved pay rates, if any
  
  

Federal workers and agencies are advised to stay updated as developments unfold. Though the initial proposal offers no raise, political dynamics in Congress and public sector advocacy may yet influence the final outcome.

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Summary

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The White House has proposed no pay raise for federal employees in the 2026 budget request, continuing a freeze that began in 2025. Despite union calls for a 3–4% raise, the current budget maintains a 0% increase for GS workers, SES members, and some political appointees.

While administrative and legislative routes remain open, the freeze signals continued pressure on federal compensation in the face of broader fiscal priorities.

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FAQ

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1. What is the federal civilian raise for 2025?

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The 2025 federal pay raise consists of a 1.7% across-the-board increase to GS base pay, plus an average 0.3% boost in locality pay, amounting to a total average raise of 2.0% effective January 2025

As confirmed by FederalPay, GS base pay was raised by 1.7% from 2024 to 2025 

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2. Is GS‑13 a high position?

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Yes. The GS system ranges from GS‑1 (entry level) up to GS‑15 (highest).

GS‑13 is considered upper mid‑level to senior-level, often held by experienced professionals, senior analysts, and entry-level managers. It's typically regarded as a high-level position within the GS scale 

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3. Is GS‑7 a good salary?

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GS‑7 is considered a mid-range level within the 15-grade GS scale. Typically, someone with a bachelor's degree has enough experience to qualify.

For 2025, GS‑7 base pay ranges from about $42,679 to $55,486, depending on your step 

With locality pay (which varies by region), your total salary can be significantly higher. In many areas, GS‑7 is regarded as a solid middle-income level—comfortable, but not senior.

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4. Will the GS pay scale increase in 2026?

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According to OPM’s Federal Salary Council, the base GS pay increase in 2026 is likely to be around 3.3%, based on projections using the Employment Cost Index 

However, the 2026 federal budget request did not include any raise for civilian GS employees 

The FY 2026 proposal from the administration leans toward a pay freeze, but this is not final Congress could still approve a raise later in the year 

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