Home President Announces 1 Percent Pay Increase for Civilian Employees
The President has issued an alternative pay plan to give most federal employees a 1 percent pay increase without locality pay in 2026, and an average 3.8 percent increase for members of the military and certain federal law enforcement officers.
The document tasks the Office of Personnel Management to determine which categories of federal law enforcement employees will receive the higher pay increase. Every August, the president is required to submit an alternative pay plan to prevent potentially larger pay raises from taking effect the following year under the Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act (FEPCA). Under FEPCA, federal employees should receive an annual raise that brings their salaries closer to those earned by employees working similar jobs in the private sector. The plan, which provides a 1 percent across-the-board raise and zero for locality pay for most federal employees in 2026, is inadequate and not nearly enough to narrow the 24.72 percent pay gap, making it harder for the federal government to compete for and retain the skilled employees it needs to provide for our national security, safeguard the public health and help grow the economy. At the very least, the planned 3.8 percent average increase for military and federal law enforcement should be extended to all federal employees. Even better, Congress should pass the FAIR Act (H.R. 493/S.126) that would give federal employees an average 4.3 percent raise next year. We must all continue to urge Congress to override this below-market pay increase and give all federal employees a fair increase in January. Take action! Urge your members of Congress to support a fair pay raise for all federal employees, and encourage your family and friends to do the same.