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2009 Government Pay Schedule
Kyle Stone | GovCentral Editor
Employees of the government know that the process for determining next year’s pay rate schedule is a complicated one. Employees of the government also know that the rate of salary increase fluctuates from year to year.
It is impossible to predict the 2009 pay raises with 100% certainty. Nonetheless, it is very possible to make an educated guess about what pay increase can be expected. With this guide, you can compute your 2009 salary in advance.
Update: The senate recently passed a bill which would increase federal and military salaries by 3.9% in 2009. This page has been adjusted in order to calculate this percentage increase to federal wages.
GovCentral’s Calculations
Update: Congress passed and the President signed legislation providing a base 3.9 percent average pay increase for gs employees in 2009. We calculated pay increases based on 2008 pay information for each of the 15 pay grades.
Keep in mind that your locality rates may not be accurately reflected in the tables below. Our estimations do take locality into account, but are not broken down into location-specific information (we will be launching this information early in 2009, so stay tuned!)
If you are an employee of the United States military, you may receive a higher pay increase than what has been calculated here, depending on the status of your performance review.
Under the NSPS pay system? See the NSPS pay increases.
What will your 2009 salary range be? Choose your pay grade from 1 to 15 below:
| GS 1 | GS 2 | GS 3 | GS 4 |
| GS 5 | GS 6 | GS 7 | GS 8 |
| GS 9 | GS 10 | GS 11 | GS 12 |
| GS 13 | GS 14 | GS 15 |
Questions about the Pay Scale system? See our Frequently Asked Questions page, or join our Pay Scale Group.
Roxanne
5 days ago
4 comments
Your 2009 information on GS7 appears to be in error, it is less income than GS6. Thanks.
dabvirtual
18 days ago
2 comments
i missed the pay pool this year spiral intro NSPS YC 2 what raise should I receive?
PQGary
19 days ago
104 comments
Check OPM, new adjustments are up...
luciusMitchell
19 days ago
2 comments
As a new hire that earned a wage higher than a GS 13 Step 8, what could I expect for my salary?
SR_USAF_FM0501
21 days ago
4 comments
Robb, I made a statement earlier about the pay scale being near the "rest of the US” scale. I only looked at the GS12 slot because that is what pertained to me. Looking at some of the other grades I see what you're talking about! I stand corrected. I guess we are all about to see what the increase is now that the New Year is almost here. Merry Christmas everyone!
l86dyb
22 days ago
2 comments
NSPS is not the problem. If the objectives were written appropriately by the employee and supervisor then pay for performance is better than someone having to wait until and "OLD" GS employee retires instead of sitting in their office collecting a pay check and not doing much work
Robb
22 days ago
2 comments
For the GS-7 projection, I don't understand why the 2009 increase is lower than the 2008 even though there is % increases. The other grades show the higher adjustment correctly. Probably just a typo or oversight. Not trying to be critical, just trying to help.
2008
Salary: $33,057 – $42,290
VS.
With a 3.9% Increase: $32,977 – $42,871
With a 2.4% Increase: $32,501 – $42,252
With a 3.5% Increase: $32,850 – $42,707
I_am_GS_13
24 days ago
4 comments
To echo some of the things I have read on here. I agree more that the NSPS should be renamed to reflect its true meaning GOBAKAS = Good Ol' Buddy and Ass Kisser Scale I am a 13 and over the years I have noticed that the only way to get ahead is to kiss the butts of upper management. I earned my way from a WG and worked hard. Now what seems to be that hard work and knowledge skills an ability does not count. But if your related you will move up and if you kiss butt you move up. I am glade I have 2 years untill retirement because in two years it will all be gone due to top heavy ass kissers.
SR_USAF_FM0501
26 days ago
4 comments
I hate using this word but "actually" the above amounts are including locality pay. It is just not specific to any locality position; in fact the numbers are very close to the rest of the US scale. By all means, this is a “guess-ti-mation” dependant on a number of variables. However, in my opinion any forecast, well researched by documented years can give you a good look into what the coming year will yield. Anyone who has PALMed a budget will give you similar advice. FM0501
kilbdo
27 days ago
2 comments
This page is virtually useless. It is based solely on base pay scales. Most federal employees are in a locality pay of some sort, which is different than the salaries given above.
taxman
about 1 month ago
82 comments
Just check http://opm.gov/ every now and then for the update on their website.
Mdeville
about 1 month ago
2 comments
Does anyone know when the new pay scale will be posted?
taxman
about 1 month ago
82 comments
It's all depend on your agency but our pay period for the next fiscal year start on the 04 Jan.
burkhamerkarl
about 1 month ago
2 comments
You would think finding the answer to this one would be easy - guess not. here it goes: When are the GS pay dates in Dec 08 and Jan 09?
taxman
about 1 month ago
82 comments
I hope with the new adminstration that they can get rid of the NSPS system. The Pay Pool Manager work like the good ole boy system if they dont like you dont expect a big raise or any at all. I'm glad that am no longer with the NSPS system. Their is one good side to the NSPS, when you get hired into the system there are room for salary negotiation rather then the GS system where they offer you the Grade and the first step. Just a thought.