Bigger raises for Feds escaping RUS-belt

News that 103,000 federal workers will be moving into higher pay territority should be a huzzah! moment for those involved. The plan is to extend locality pay coverage next year to workers in 13 additional metro areas. That should mean relatively bigger, better pay raises for them in 2016.

At least bigger than they have been getting compared to their city-slicker colleagues in New York City and San Francisco.

Currently there are 34 locality pay areas, according to OPM. Thirty-one of them cover major metro areas. They range from Atlanta to Seattle plus other major federal centers. Feds who are not in a locality pay area are, for pay raise purposes, designated as RUS, which stands for Rest of the U.S. GS (general schedule) feds in foreign areas are not eligible for locality pay.

Under the locality pay system, workers in GS 14, step 5 would get $124,514 in LA; $118,159 in Dallas; $119,256 inPhiladelphia and $116,808 in Atlanta. In the RUS-belt, that salary would be $111,784 today.

Being in a locality pay area has definite financial rewards. Pay is linked to private-sector wages for similar jobs. Currently, a GS 12 step 5 in Houston is paid $89,693. The same employee in Los Angeles would get $88,613, while a DC-Baltimore based GS 12, step 5 would be paid $86,564. A RUS employee at the same grade and step gets $79,554. So where do you stack up compared to similar workers in other cities?

To check out your salary, and compare it with feds in other locality pay areas or in the RUSbelt, click here.

Executive Pay Gap: Wednesday’s column about the $1 million differences in top federal vs. private sector pay prompted lots of comments, including this from Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior Executive Association:

“Many think Senior Executives are highly paid because the cap — for those in agencies whose SES pay and performance management systems have been certified by OPM — is Executive Schedule II, $183,300 as of this year. However, in Fiscal Year 2013 (the last date for which we have data from OPM), the average SES salary was $165,890. These executives do not receive locality pay and all pay adjustments are based on performance — and completely discretionary with the agency. We estimate that almost 25 percent of the SES make equal to or less than their GS subordinates. And many can command a much higher salary in the private sector — to which a good number often “retire” after government. The American public is fortunate to have so many talented, experienced federal career executives who are devoted to public service and the mission of their agencies.”

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Michael O’Connell

Donald Duck’s nephews appear to be identical white ducks. The only way to tell them apart is by the color of their caps and clothing. Huey wears red, Dewey wears blue, and Louie wears green.

Source: Wikipedia

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