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OPM.gov / Policy / Pay & Leave / Pay Administration
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Federal Employee Compensation Package

Federal Employee Compensation Package: It's More than Just Salary

You're making a great choice when you choose a career with the Federal Government. You will find our comprehensive compensation and benefits package to be competitive. As a Federal employee, you and your family have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your career rewarding while at the same time enabling you to balance work and family needs.

Agencies have the flexibility to tailor compensation and benefits packages to be competitive with other employers. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific compensation and benefits offered.

Compensation

  • Salary — The Federal Government offers competitive base pay, with most positions using the General Schedule (GS) pay system.  Some highly-competitive jobs, such as entry-level IT specialists, provide higher special pay rates.
  • Incentives and Awards — In addition to salary, your hiring agency may offer monetary recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives and performance awards.
  • Student Loan Repayment or Forgiveness —
    • With the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program, agencies may help repay your Federally-insured student loans up to a maximum of $10,000 a year or a $60,000 lifetime maximum.
    • As a Federal employee, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan, and while working full-time for the Federal government as an eligible employer. If you need assistance completing your PSLF forms, please contact your Human Resources office.
    • You may also be eligible for the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, the newest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Like other IDR plans, the SAVE Plan calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. In addition, the SAVE Plan has unique benefits that will lower payments for many borrowers.
    • For questions on PSLF or the SAVE Plan, please visit the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Help Center, and if you need to contact the Department of Education for assistance, please use the Federal Student Aid "Contact Us" page.  

Leave and Workplace Flexibilities

  • Alternative Work Schedules — Maintain valuable contributions to your work group while meeting your personal needs by operating on a non-traditional work schedule.
  • Vacation, Personal and Sick Time — Enjoy paid and non-paid time off through our generous leave programs. You may also qualify for a higher leave accrual rate because of your non-federal work experience or uniformed service.
  • Telework — The Federal Government is a leader in the use of innovative workplace arrangements like telework.

Additional Benefits

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