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Most federal employees will get a 1% 2026 pay increase in 2026 and while some federal law enforcement officers would receive larger raises. according to a White House pay plan transmitted to Congress late last month, according to the letter, locality pay will not increase next year.
Since the White House’s 2026 budget proposal was quiet on a 2026 pay raise for federal employees and Congress has so yet approved a pay increase in legislation a 2026 pay freeze was anticipated.
The final pay raise tables are usually released in December of each year from the Office of Personnel Management.
SEE ALSO:
- 2026 Federal Pay Raise Proposed at 4.3%
- 2026 Federal Retiree COLA Watch – FERS / CSRS / Social Security
For the majority of federal employees, if this pay adjustment is established, it would be the smallest the annual increase since 2021.
2026 Federal Pay Raise for Civilian Employees
“I have determined that for 2026, base pay will increase by 1.0 percent and locality pay increases will be set at zero,” President Donald Trump wrote in the pay plan letter. “This adjustment shall take effect on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and will address our ability to attract and retain a skilled and highly talented Federal workforce while charting a fiscally responsible course.”
2026 Pay Raise for Law Enforcement Personnel
According to the letter, some federal law enforcement officers will get a 3.8% raise next year which is the same increase members of the military will get in 2026. That letter instructs the Office of Personnel Management to determine which federal law enforcement employees will receive the larger pay raise.
“Separately, to increase recruitment and retention in critical law enforcement roles and to ensure our great Federal law enforcement officers are treated fairly, in addition to the 1.0 percent base pay increase, at my direction the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall use its statutory authority to increase 2026 compensation for certain categories of law enforcement personnel by an additional amount to be in line with the 3.8 percent increase being given to military personnel pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 1009,” the letter states. “That change is part of a separate process from the establishment of this alternative pay plan under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) and 5 U.S.C. 5304a. Starting September 2, 2025, OPM shall consult with executive departments and agencies to identify the categories of law enforcement personnel that will be eligible for this pay increase.”
Presidents are required by law to submit an “alternative pay plan” by Sept. 1 of each year.
The full text of the 2026 pay plan letter can be read here.