Federal Pay Bump: Everyone from Judges to VP Gets Raise
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
Starting soon, many federal workers, including government employees, senior executives, judges, military members, and even the Vice President, will see their pay rates go up. These changes, set by the President, adjust salaries across several government pay systems to keep up with the times and costs. The new pay rates kick in right away, giving a boost to those serving the country in various important roles.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
General Schedule and Civilian Raises
The Executive Order sets new rates of basic pay or salaries for statutory civilian pay systems, including the General Schedule, the Foreign Service Schedule, and Veterans Health Administration schedules. These new rates take effect on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Uniformed Services Pay Effective Jan 1
The Executive Order sets the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services and cadet or midshipman pay on Schedule 8, with Schedule 8 effective January 1, 2026.
Possible 3.8% Boost for Federal Law Enforcement
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is directed to assess whether to provide up to a total increase of 3.8 percent (inclusive of the increase provided under Section 1) to the rates of pay of certain Federal civilian law enforcement personnel, as determined by the Director after coordination with agencies and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 5305.
Locality Pay Adjustments Ordered
The Executive Order directs locality-based comparability payments to be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 and authorizes the Director to take actions necessary to implement those payments and publish notice in the Federal Register.
Senior Executive Service Pay Ranges
The Executive Order sets new ranges of basic pay for members of the Senior Executive Service, with those ranges included in Schedule 4. The new SES pay ranges take effect on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Executive, Legislative, Judicial Salaries Set
The Executive Order sets the rates of basic pay or salaries for Executive Schedule positions, the Vice President and Congress, and for Justices and judges as listed on the attached schedules. These salary rates take effect on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Administrative Law Judges Pay Set
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5372, the Executive Order sets rates of basic pay for administrative law judges as listed in Schedule 10, effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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