The Federal Wage System (FWS) is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour.  The system's goal is to make sure that Federal trade, craft, and laboring employees within a local wage area who perform the same duties receive the same rate of pay.  The FWS includes 130 appropriated fund and 118 nonappropriated fund local wage areas.  Successful labor-management partnership is the hallmark of the FWS, with labor organizations involved in all phases of administering the pay system.

Under this uniform pay system -

• Your pay will be the same as the pay of other Federal jobs like yours in your wage area, and
• Your pay will be in line with pay for private sector jobs like yours in your wage area.

Pay Limitation

On December 23, 2024, OPM issued Compensation Policy Memorandum 2024-25 (external link) to notify agencies that section 737 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, as extended by Division A of the American Relief Act, 2025, continues the provisions affecting the determination of pay adjustments for certain prevailing rate (wage) employees in Fiscal Year 2025.

Operating Manuals

The FWS Appropriated Fund and Nonappropriated Fund Operating Manuals contain information about the history of the FWS program, how wage surveys are conducted, setting pay for FWS employees, premium pay guidelines, special rates and schedules, and set-aside schedules. The FWS Operating Manuals are useful tools for personnel specialists and FWS employees.

* Hearing impaired users may utilize the Federal Relay Service(external link) by dialing 1-800-877-8339** to reach a Communications Assistant (CA). The CA will dial the requested number and relay the conversation between a standard (voice) telephone user and text telephone (TTY) user.

** Visiting the Federal Relay Service website(external link) will provide access to additional Toll-Free and Toll Access Numbers.

Table of Contents

• Subchapter S1. Basic Authorities(PDF file)
• Subchapter S2. Scope Of System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S3. Organization And Functional Responsibilities(PDF file)
• Subchapter S4. Wage Schedules(PDF file)
• Subchapter S5. Prevailing Rate Determination(PDF file)
• Subchapter S6. Job-Grading System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S7. Job-Grading Appeals(PDF file)
• Subchapter S8. Pay Administration(PDF file)
• Subchapter S9. Grade And Pay Retention Under The Federal Wage System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S10. [Reserved]
• Subchapter S11. Special Wage Rate Schedules(PDF file)
• Subchapter S12. Special Rates Or Rate Ranges Under The Federal Wage System(PDF file)
• Appendix A. [Reserved]
• Appendix B. [Reserved]
• Appendix C. Nationwide Schedule Of Regular Wage Surveys(PDF file)
• Appendix D. Wage And Survey Areas(PDF file)
• Appendix E. Survey Job Descriptions(PDF file)
• Appendix F. Instructions For Data Collectors(PDF file)
• Appendix G. Computing A Wage Trend Line(PDF file)
• Appendix H. Sample Federal Wage System Wage Schedule(PDF file)
• Appendix I. Description Of Key Ranking Jobs(PDF file)
• Appendix J. Schedule Of Environmental Differentials Paid For Exposure To Various Degrees Of Hazards, Physical Hardships, And Working Conditions Of An Unusual Nature(PDF file)
• Appendix K. [Reserved]
• Appendix L. Special Schedule Survey Job Descriptions(PDF file)
• Appendix M. Worksheet For Federal Wage System Special Rates(PDF file)
• Appendix N. [Reserved]
• Appendix O. [Reserved]
• Appendix P. [Reserved]
• Appendix Q. [Reserved]
• Appendix R. [Reserved]
• Appendix S. [Reserved]
• Appendix T. Appropriate Offices Of Opm For Submission Of Federal Wage System Job-Grading Appeals(PDF file)
• Appendix U. [Reserved]
• Appendix V. Listing Of Agency Special Wage Schedules And Rates Documented Under The Federal Wage System(PDF file)

Table of Contents

• Subchapter S1. Basic Authorities(PDF file)
• Subchapter S2. Scope of NAF System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S3. Organizational and Functional Responsibilities(PDF file)
• Subchapter S4. NAF Wage Schedules(PDF file)
• Subchapter S5. Prevailing Rate Determination(PDF file)
• Subchapter S6. NAF Job-Grading System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S7. NAF Job-Grading Appeals(PDF file)
• Subchapter S8. NAF Pay Administration(PDF file)
• Subchapter S9. Grade and Pay Retention under the Federal Wage System(PDF file)
• Subchapter S10. [Reserved]
• Subchapter S11. Special Wage Rate Schedules(PDF file)
• Subchapter S12. Special Rates or Rate Ranges under the Federal Wage System(PDF file)
• Appendix A. [Reserved]
• Appendix B. [Reserved]
• Appendix C. Nationwide Schedule of Nonappropriated Fund Regular Wage Surveys(PDF file)
• Appendix D. Wage and Survey Areas(PDF file)
• Appendix E. Survey Job Descriptions(PDF file)
• Appendix F. Instructions for Data Collectors(PDF file)
• Appendix G. Computing a Wage Trend Line(PDF file)
• Appendix H. Sample NAF Federal Wage System Wage Schedule(PDF file)
• Appendix I. Descriptions of Key Ranking Jobs(PDF file)
• Appendix J. Schedule of Environmental Differentials Paid for Exposure to Various Degrees of Hazards, Physical Hardships, and Working Conditions of an Unusual Nature(PDF file)
• Appendix K. [Reserved]
• Appendix L. [Reserved]
• Appendix M. Worksheet for Federal Wage System Special Rates (NAF)(PDF file)
• Appendix N. [Reserved]
• Appendix O. [Reserved]
• Appendix P. [Reserved]
• Appendix Q. [Reserved]
• Appendix R. [Reserved]
• Appendix S. [Reserved]
• Appendix T. Appropriate Offices of OPM for Submission of Federal Wage System Job-Grading Appeals(PDF file)
• Appendix U. [Reserved]
• Appendix V. Listing of Agency Special Wage Schedules and Rates for Nonappropriated Fund Employees Documented Under the Federal Wage System(PDF file)

The following documents provide guidance to Federal agencies on the application of the Federal Minimum Wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, as amended, to employees of the Federal Government.

• Memorandum for Human Resources Directors, Increase in Minimum Wage(external link) (July 23, 2007)
• Notice of OPM Operating Information, Notice Number 52 (September 20, 1996)

The Department of Defense (DOD) is the lead agency responsible for conducting Federal Wage System (FWS) wage surveys and issuing wage schedules. DOD's Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service maintains a website with all FWS wage schedules. You can visit the FWS wage schedules website or contact DOD directly at 571-372-1614.

• The Pay of Bureau of Prisons Federal Wage System Employees
• Cost of Administering The Federal Wage System
• Salinas-Monterey, California, Federal Wage System Wage Area

The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) studies the prevailing rate system and other matters pertinent to the establishment of prevailing rates under subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, and advises the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the Governmentwide administration of the pay system for blue-collar Federal employees.

FPRAC has five management members, five labor members, and one Chairman appointed by the Director of OPM.

• Five management seats: Department of Defense, two of the military departments (Army, Navy, and Air Force rotate through 2 seats annually), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and OPM staff.

• Five labor seats: Metal Trades Department/AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Government Employees (2 seats), the National Association of Government Employees, and the Association of Civilian Technicians (Ind.).

Meeting Dates for 2025

No FPRAC meetings are currently scheduled.

Meeting Transcripts

A transcript for each FPRAC meeting is recorded and approved by the Committee. You may find a copy of the text of the proceedings for recent meetings below.

• Meeting Number 655 - November 21, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 654 - September 19, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 653 - July 18, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 652 - May 16, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 651 - March 21, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 650 - February 15, 2024(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 649 - December 21, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 648 - October 19, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 647 - July 20,2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 646 - May 18, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 645 - April 20, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 644 - February 16, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 643 - January 19, 2023(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 642 - October 20, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 641 – September 15, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 640 – July 21, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 639 – June 16, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 638 – May 19, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 637 – April 21, 2022(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 636 – November 19, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 635 – September 17, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 634 – August 20, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 633 – July 16, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 632 – March 19, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 631 – February 20, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 630 – January 16, 2020(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 629 – December 19, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 628 – October 17, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 627 – September 19, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 626 – July 18, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 625 – June 20, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 624 – May 16, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 623 - March 31, 2019(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 622 – December 20, 2018(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 621 – October 18, 2018(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 620 – September 20, 2018(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 619 – January 12, 2017(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 618 – December 15, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 617 – November 17, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 616 – September 15, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 615 – August 18, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 614 – July 21, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 613 – June 16, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 612 – May 19, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 611 – March 17, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 610 – February 18, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 609 – January 21, 2016(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 608 – October 15, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 607 – September 17, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 606 – June 18, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 605 – May 21, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 604 – April 16, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 603 – March 19, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 602 – February 19, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 601 – January 15, 2015(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 600 – December 18, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 599 – November 20, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 598 – October 16, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 597 – August 21, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 596 – July 17, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 595 – June 19, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 594 – May 15, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 593 – April 17, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 592 – March 20, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 591 – February 20, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 590 – January 16, 2014(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 589 – December 19, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 588 – November 21, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 587 – September 19, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 586 – August 15, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 585 – June 20, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 584 – May 16, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 583 – March 21, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 582 - February 21, 2013(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 581 - December 13, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 580 - November 15, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 579 - October 18, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 578 - September 13, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 577 - August 16, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 576 - July 19, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 575 - June 21, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 574 - April 19, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 573 - March 15, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 572 - March 8, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 571 - February 16, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 570 - January 19, 2012(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 569 - December 15, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 568 - October 20, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 567 - September 15, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 566 - August 18, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 565 - July 21, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 564 - June 16, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 563 - May 19, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 562 - April 21, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 561 - February 17, 2011(PDF file)
• Meeting Number 560 - January 20, 2011(PDF file)

Annual Reports

Annually, the Office of the Chair compiles a report of pay issues discussed and concluded recommendations.

• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2023(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2022(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2020(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2019(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2017 - 2018(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2016(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2015(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2014(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2013(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2012 (PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2011(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Year 2010(PDF file)
• Annual Summary of Recommendations and Discussions, Calendar Years 2008 and 2009(PDF file)

Charter

The FPRAC Charter is reviewed every 2 years. The current Charter(PDF file) was issued on January 9, 2024.