2027 Federal Pay Raise Tracker
Updated November 13, 2026. We update this page the day anything changes.
Where it stands
Proposed: 0% for most GS employees. Not final.
The President proposed freezing General Schedule base and locality pay at 2026 levels. Certain law enforcement employees get 3.8% to about 6.7% through special rates. Congress can still change the outcome, and nothing is final until the pay executive order is signed in December.
Next date to watch
November 25, 2026
Agency opt-out deadline for the special rates
An agency that does not want the new law enforcement rates must tell OPM by this date.
What each outcome pays you
Only the freeze and the law enforcement rates have actually been decided. The other rows show what a raise from Congress would be worth if one passes.
| Outcome | More per year | More per paycheck | 2027 salary |
|---|---|---|---|
Freeze (as proposed) Most GS employees | $0 | $0 | $75,000 |
1.9% (the 2019 precedent) If Congress repeats 2019 | $1,425 | $55 | $76,425 |
3.0% A middle-ground deal | $2,250 | $87 | $77,250 |
4.1% (FAIR Act) If the House bill's figure won | $3,075 | $118 | $78,075 |
3.8% special rate Law enforcement already on L001–L140 tables | $2,850 | $110 | $77,850 |
About 6.7% special rate Newly covered LEO, 0083, qualifying 0080, 1811 | $5,010 | $193 | $80,010 |
Before taxes and deductions, over 26 pay periods. A raise from Congress could split between base and locality pay, so your exact figure depends on your locality area. Law enforcement special rates stop at $197,200.
Timeline
August 26, 2026 · Done
Alternative pay plan sent to Congress
The President proposed no across-the-board raise and no locality increase for GS employees in January 2027, and told OPM to give certain law enforcement personnel 3.8% through special salary rates. Without the letter, the formula in law would have produced about 3.1% across the board. Federal News Network
October 14, 2026 · Done
Retiree COLA announced (separate from the pay raise)
3.6% for CSRS and 2.6% for FERS retirees, starting with the January 2027 annuity payment. This does not change GS pay tables.
November 6, 2026 · Done
OPM sets the law enforcement special rates
Employees already on the L001–L140 special rate tables (about 140,000) generally get 3.8%. Newly covered groups get about 6.7%: approved law enforcement officer positions, 0083 police, 0080 security staff with arrest authority, and 1811 criminal investigators. Special rates stop at Executive Schedule level IV ($197,200). FedSmith
November 25, 2026 · Coming up
Agency opt-out deadline for the special rates
An agency that does not want the new law enforcement rates must tell OPM by this date.
December 11, 2026 · Coming up
Government funding runs out
The current stopgap funding law expires. Members of Congress are pushing to attach a 2027 raise to the next funding bill. That is the main way a freeze gets overridden, as it was for 2019. Government Executive
Mid-to-late December · Coming up
Pay executive order
The President signs the order that sets the 2027 rates. If it follows the August plan, GS tables stay at 2026 levels.
Late December or early January · Coming up
OPM posts the 2027 pay tables
The official GS base, locality, and special rate tables appear on OPM.gov. OPM pay tables
January 10, 2027 · Coming up
New rates take effect
The first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2027 starts January 10 for most employees. If Congress passes a raise later, it can be paid back to this date, as the February 2019 raise was.
Who gets what in January 2027
| Group | 2027 increase | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Most GS employees | 0% base, 0% locality | Proposed |
| Law enforcement on L001–L140 special rate tables | 3.8% | Set by OPM, Nov 6 |
| Newly covered: approved LEO positions, 0083 police, 0080 with arrest authority, 1811 investigators | About 6.7% | Set by OPM, Nov 6 |
| Certain firefighters and CBP agriculture specialists | 3.8% under consideration | Not decided |
| Federal Wage System (wage grade) | Follows the GS outcome, on your wage area's date | Depends on GS |
| Military | 7% / 6% / 5% proposed | Separate process (NDAA) |
| CSRS / FERS retirees | 3.6% / 2.6% COLA | Final |
A freeze does not stop step increases, promotions, or quality step increases.
Common questions
Is the 2027 federal pay freeze final?
No. The President proposed it on August 26, 2026. The 2027 rates are set when the pay executive order is signed, usually in mid-to-late December, and Congress can still pass a raise before or after that.
Who gets a raise in 2027 under the proposal?
Certain law enforcement employees. OPM set 3.8% for employees already on the L001–L140 special rate tables and about 6.7% for newly covered groups, including 1811 criminal investigators and 0083 police. Most other GS employees get 0%.
Is there a 2027 COLA for federal employees?
Not for current employees: their annual change is the pay adjustment on this page (0% proposed for most GS employees). The cost-of-living adjustment is for retirees, and it is final for 2027: 2.6% for FERS and 3.6% for CSRS.
Do step increases stop during a pay freeze?
No. Within-grade step increases, promotions, and quality step increases continue during a freeze. Only the GS tables and locality percentages stay flat.
Can Congress override the pay freeze?
Yes, through a funding bill. For 2019 Congress overrode a proposed freeze with a 1.9% raise in February 2019, paid back to January. The current funding law expires December 11, 2026.
Go deeper
- The proposed 2027 pay freeze, explained →
- Can Congress override the freeze? The Dec 11 deadline →
- GS pay scale 2027 under a freeze →
- Step increases still happen: when you get yours →
- Law enforcement special salary rates →
- Federal Wage System (blue-collar) pay →
- 2027 COLA for retirees →
- 2027 military pay raise →
FedInfo.org is independent and not affiliated with OPM or any agency. Official rates are published on OPM.gov.