President Trump recently signed an executive order granting federal workers a 1% pay raise. This increase, set to take effect next month, is aimed at bolstering basic pay, without adjusting locality pay rates for the upcoming year.
Initially, a pay freeze was suggested for 2026, but this raise marks a shift from a 2% increase provided in January. That earlier raise included a portion intended for locality pay adjustments, which have now been put on hold.
In addition, Trump proposed a 2.8% increase for certain federal law enforcement officers to match the 3.8% raise approved for military personnel. He has tasked Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor to evaluate this proposal further.
By examining recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s clear that federal pay has lagged behind inflation in recent years. For instance, in 2022, the average federal employee’s salary increased by only 2.6%, while inflation soared to 7%. This disparity highlights the ongoing financial pressures faced by federal workers.
Public response has been mixed. Many federal employees express gratitude for any increase, but some criticize the 1% raise as insufficient given rising living costs. Social media trends show discussions about the challenges of making ends meet, with hashtags like #FederalPay and #LivingWage gaining traction.
For those interested in detailed pay tables outlining this new raise, you can find them on the official White House website.
Whether this raise will be enough to address the financial challenges faced by federal workers remains to be seen.
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