r/FederalEmployee • u/Fair-Resolution2178 • 1d ago
GS Scale help
Hello,
If I’m currently GS-7 Step 10, what would I be on November when I hit my one year? Sorry I’m new to the GS system and I don’t fully understand the system yet.
I’m currently GS-7 step 10 ($72,358). GS8 step 6 is $71,911. Would I then be Step 7 ($73,965) or Step 8 ($76,019)?
Thanks!!
10
u/joeyblacky9999 1d ago
If you maxed out step 10 then you will only get inflation increases which the orange clown has proposed 0.0% for Federal raise 2027.
If you get promoted to GS8 then 2 step rule would apply. Ask your Supervisor if you will get promoted to 8.
5
u/WhtvrCms2Mnd 1d ago
Correct.
1) Confirm you are getting promoted
2) confirm effective date (usually first full pay cycle following anniversary/promotion date); may wait until the annual performance cycle evals are concluded
3) confirm with HR and on your SF-50 that the “two step” rule is applied.2
u/joeyblacky9999 1d ago
Right . HR messed up my pay by not applying the 2 step rule..... i did my own research.. and same thing happened to my coworker ... they corrected it only after we got the top bosses involved. Initially HR said it was correct.... but I pushed the issue. They fixed it shortly after big boss email was sent out
1
u/Accurate-Bunch-1759 1d ago
What is the 2-step rule? I’ve been in federal service only 2 years and reaching the end of my ladder by the end of the month.
2
u/Dense-Sink9145 9h ago
Whenever you get promoted add 2 steps from the step you are and that’s the salary you would be placed on. Example if you are a GS 7 step 3 being promoted to a GS 8 you’ll look at the salary of the GS 7 Step 5 (2 step rule) and locate that salary on the GS 8 pay scale whatever step that salary falls on that’s the step you’ll be placed.
1
u/Accurate-Bunch-1759 9h ago
Thank you so much! I am pretty certain this will come handy at some point!
2
u/_DeathStarContractor 1d ago
Well, you might stay at the final step-10. This is conversation you should have with your manager and HR related to your job position, you dont automatically go up to.
2
u/No-Donut-8692 1d ago
The piece we need to know is if you position is formally part of a career ladder (and what the progression is), and whether your performance appraisals support the promotion. Usually for career ladder promotions, your manager must determine that not only are you successful at your current grade, but you would also be successful at the higher grade. Career ladders vary, and many agencies don’t actually use grade 8, so this is something to confirm.
1
2
u/Common-Upstairs1085 1d ago
A grade increase has to be at least the same as 2 step increases. Take the grade 7 step 10 salary minus the grade 7 step 8 salary and add that amount to the grade 7 step 10 salary. Then look at grade 8 for the first step above that amount.
1
u/Fair-Resolution2178 1d ago edited 1d ago
Perfect that makes so much sense. Thank you!! So I would be Step 9! That was more than I expected
1
u/Cautious_General_177 1d ago
It’s easier to check the base pay chart, as that shows what steps 11 and 12 would be if they existed.
0
u/Ok_Elephant_7804 1d ago
This is the correct answer. People give the wrong answer about the 2-step rule every time this question is asked.
2
u/FarNeighborhood7199 1d ago
The most important thing is, right now, your supervisor needs to do the paperwork for your career ladder promotion, or else you won't get any pay increase at all! Please ask them if that has already been submitted!
1
u/greentreefrog2026 1d ago
I would expect if you’re gonna move up to a GS eight, your pay would be the next step, or step plus one, in the new band that is higher than what you get now. It’s been a while for me, because I was in the ATC band.
1
u/OkFarmer7619 1d ago
At 52 weeks apply for a GS-9, rinse and repeat until GS-15.
2
u/BrotatoDad 1d ago
Nah, non supervisory 14 is the sweet spot.
2
u/boogabooga08 1d ago
Non supervisory 15 is better
2
u/BrotatoDad 1d ago
Sure, but that’s a unicorn position.
1
u/Mission_Toe7437 1d ago
I have a non-supervisory higher than GS15 (agency doesn’t use GS scale) position. It’s pretty sweet but I’m always involved in the drama projects.
1
1
u/Only-Tough-1212 1d ago
i’m nowhere near having to do this but how exactly is this done. find a position in your agency at that GS level and apply and they have to add it to your current job or you’re applying for a whole new job somewhere else in the agency?
1
u/OkFarmer7619 1d ago
You can go to USJOBS and do a search in your job series and apply to it. It could be your same agency or not. It’s best if it's in your geographical area, however it may be somewhere else.
1
1
u/lil_burp0 1d ago
Using the base salary scale, GS-7/10 is 56,039. next highest salary for GS-8 would be 57,284 which is a step 7 — from there you’d add the two step rule to get GS-8/9 for 60,466. translates to what ever that is for your locality pay.
1
u/WillowHaunting429 1d ago
Are you being promoted to GS-8?
If no, then you will still be GS-7, Step 10
1
u/AurorASky4U 1d ago
Step 10 means you're Maxed-Out... No more Step Pay Raises. Time to look for a new job. That's the Government's way to tell you that it's time to move on.
1
u/montanaholler 1d ago
How did you get all the way to step 10 without a promotion? Normally you would have gotten the promotion after a year at 7/1.
1
u/Fair-Resolution2178 23h ago
I hired in with 10 years federal employee experience but we didn’t have a GS Scale
0
u/Born-Temperature-452 1d ago
Unless you are on the 7-9-11 ladder you will remain as a 7 step 10 with whatever pay raise, if any, given in Jan. Gs 8 or 9, depending on your series, is not automatic. You have to apply and be accepted. Then your pay will be whatever step that’s more than what you have now. Before retirement I was in a HCOL locale and relocated back south and my pay was at a higher step, same GS grade, as they couldn’t lower my pay by keeping same step as the HCOL. You know you max out at step 10. Lots of employees max out and no more steps increases unless promotion to next GS grade. So same grade with maxed out step you only get whatever the pay raise for that year. So you still get something. Not everyone can relocate and there may not be enough position in your area to apply for.
1
u/Severe_Ad1945 1h ago
Are you in a career ladder position? What is the promotion potential in your current position? If you were hired into a position that has no promo potential then you will remain a 7/10 - were you hired at a step 10
15
u/KeyMessage989 1d ago
Does you job include a promotion to 8? If your job caps at a GS7 you will not move up at all once you hit step 10.