Fed GS Pay Scale? Forum

[Leprechaun]

Would someone explain the Fed GS pay scale please?

How does someone move up steps and grades?

If I am going in as an Honors Attorney at Grade 11 Step 8 with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, what is the timing for future movement along the scale? After a year, do you go to Grade 11 Step 9, or Grade 12 Step something, or some other time frame?

Thanks for your help.

[lapolicia]

You'll go to a GS-12 next year. It's virtually automatic as long as your performance is at least meets expectations. A year after that you'll go to a GS-13. And a year after that you'll go to a 14. After 14, you'll move up the steps every year (at first) to a GS-14 step 2 etc. if you get promoted to a management position, you'll go to a 15. Then you could theoretically go to the SES, but odds of that are about as high as making biglaw partner as a junior associate.

[Leprechaun]

Laplicia,

So when you go to the next grade, do you stay at the same step?

IE, I start at Grade 11 Step 8, is the first bump to Grade 12 Step 8 or to some other step within Grade 12?

Thank you,

Mike

[lapolicia]

Laplicia,

So when you go to the next grade, do you stay at the same step?

IE, I start at Grade 11 Step 8, is the first bump to Grade 12 Step 8 or to some other step within Grade 12?

Thank you,

Mike

No, you have to follow the OPM two-step rule to figure which step you get promoted to. Basically, you add 2 steps to your current step and then find the first step at the next grade level that is a higher pay than the result. For example, from a GS-11 step 8 your next promotion after a year would be to a GS-12 step 4. After that, to a GS-13, step 1. Note that the step you get promoted to might be a little higher due to across the board pay increases or performance pay increases (if the IRS has that).

[Leprechaun]

Thank you. I appreciate the explanation.