FEDERAL PAY GUIDE
GS Step Increases
GS step increases allow eligible General Schedule employees to move to a higher step within the same grade. Learn how within-grade increases work, the required waiting periods from Step 1 through Step 10, and the OPM eligibility requirements that determine when an employee can advance.
How GS Step Increases Work
General Schedule (GS) employees are paid according to a system of grades and steps. Each GS grade contains 10 steps, from Step 1 through Step 10. A step increase allows an eligible employee to move to the next step within the same grade and receive a higher rate of basic pay.
These increases are formally known as within-grade increases (WGIs). Unlike a promotion, a within-grade increase does not move an employee to a higher GS grade. Instead, the employee advances to the next step within the grade they already hold.
For example, an eligible employee may progress from GS-9 Step 1 to GS-9 Step 2. The employee remains at GS-9, but the applicable rate of basic pay increases to the Step 2 rate.
GS Step Increase Waiting Periods
The waiting period depends on the employee's current step. For GS employees with a scheduled tour of duty, OPM lists the following required waiting periods for advancement to the next step:
| Current Step | Next Step | Required Waiting Period |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Step 2 | 52 weeks |
| Step 2 | Step 3 | 52 weeks |
| Step 3 | Step 4 | 52 weeks |
| Step 4 | Step 5 | 104 weeks |
| Step 5 | Step 6 | 104 weeks |
| Step 6 | Step 7 | 104 weeks |
| Step 7 | Step 8 | 156 weeks |
| Step 8 | Step 9 | 156 weeks |
| Step 9 | Step 10 | 156 weeks |
This means the waiting periods become longer as an employee progresses through the step system. Steps 1 through 3 generally require one year at each step before advancement, Steps 4 through 6 require two years at each step, and Steps 7 through 9 require three years at each step.
How Long Does It Take to Reach GS Step 10?
If an employee remained continuously in the same GS grade and advanced through the normal within-grade increase process, the standard waiting periods total 18 years from Step 1 to Step 10.
The progression can be viewed as:
- Step 1 to Step 2: 1 year
- Step 2 to Step 3: 1 year
- Step 3 to Step 4: 1 year
- Step 4 to Step 5: 2 years
- Step 5 to Step 6: 2 years
- Step 6 to Step 7: 2 years
- Step 7 to Step 8: 3 years
- Step 8 to Step 9: 3 years
- Step 9 to Step 10: 3 years
OPM therefore describes normal progression from Step 1 through Step 10 within one grade as taking 18 years. This assumes the employee remains in that grade and satisfies the requirements for each within-grade increase.
Are GS Step Increases Automatic?
A GS employee should not assume that reaching the end of a waiting period automatically guarantees a step increase. Federal law and OPM regulations establish eligibility requirements for receiving a within-grade increase.
According to OPM, an employee in a qualifying permanent position must generally meet three requirements:
- Complete the required waiting period for advancement to the next step.
- Perform at an acceptable level of competence.
- Not receive an equivalent increase in pay during the waiting period.
For the performance requirement, OPM states that the employee's most recent rating of record must generally be at least Level 3, or Fully Successful or equivalent.
What Is an Acceptable Level of Competence?
An acceptable level of competence is the performance standard used when determining eligibility for a within-grade increase. Completing the required number of weeks at a step is only part of the WGI process.
If the employee's performance does not meet the required standard, the within-grade increase can be withheld. Employees should therefore distinguish between becoming eligible based on time at a step and actually satisfying all requirements for the increase.
What Is an Equivalent Increase?
Another important WGI rule concerns an equivalent increase. Certain personnel actions that increase an employee's rate of basic pay can affect the waiting period for the next within-grade increase.
For GS employees, an equivalent increase can include certain within-grade increases, promotions and some pay-setting actions. The rules contain exceptions, so not every increase in compensation is treated as an equivalent increase.
For example, a general pay adjustment or locality pay adjustment is not automatically treated the same way as an equivalent increase for WGI purposes. Employees with a promotion, transfer, special pay-setting action or unusual employment history should use their official personnel records and agency human resources guidance to determine their WGI waiting period.
When Does the WGI Waiting Period Begin?
The starting point of a waiting period can depend on an employee's personnel history. OPM explains that a WGI waiting period may begin upon a first appointment in Federal service, after receiving an equivalent increase, or following certain extended periods of nonpay status or breaks in service.
Because these rules can affect an individual's eligibility date, employees should not determine an official WGI date simply by adding one, two or three years to a calendar date without considering their personnel history.
GS Step Increase vs. Promotion
A step increase and a promotion are different personnel actions.
A step increase moves an employee from one step to the next within the same GS grade. For example:
GS-11 Step 3 → GS-11 Step 4
A promotion moves an employee to a higher grade. For example:
GS-11 → GS-12
Promotion pay is determined under Federal pay-setting rules and should not be calculated by simply applying the normal step waiting-period schedule. Employees receiving a promotion should use the applicable promotion pay rules for determining their new rate.
How Much Is a GS Step Increase?
There is no single dollar amount for every GS step increase. The difference between adjacent steps depends on the employee's grade and applicable pay schedule.
OPM describes the step rates within each grade as being worth approximately 3 percent of an employee's salary. However, employees should use the actual published salary table rather than assuming that every step increase will equal an exact percentage or fixed dollar amount.
For example, the dollar difference between two steps at GS-5 is different from the dollar difference between the corresponding steps at GS-13. Higher grades generally have larger dollar differences between step rates.
Do Locality Pay Rates Affect Step Increases?
Locality pay can affect the salary an employee receives at a particular grade and step, but it does not change the basic structure of Steps 1 through 10.
An employee covered by a locality pay table should find the intersection of their GS grade and step on the applicable locality table. When the employee advances to the next step, the applicable salary is the rate shown for that new grade-and-step combination on the relevant pay table.
This is why employees should avoid relying only on the nationwide base GS table when determining their actual payable salary. Depending on the position and official worksite, an applicable locality or special rate schedule may produce a different rate.
What Happens at GS Step 10?
Step 10 is the highest regular step within a GS grade. There is no regular Step 11 within the General Schedule.
After reaching Step 10, an employee cannot receive another normal within-grade increase within that same grade. Future changes in pay may instead result from actions or adjustments such as a promotion, an annual pay adjustment, changes in locality pay, applicable special rates or other authorized pay-setting actions.
Quality Step Increases
A Quality Step Increase (QSI) is different from a normal within-grade increase. A QSI may be granted to recognize outstanding performance and can advance an eligible GS employee by an additional step.
OPM notes that employees with outstanding or equivalent performance ratings may be considered for a quality step increase. A QSI can also affect the timing of future step progression in some circumstances, particularly when it places an employee into Step 4 or Step 7 because those steps begin longer waiting-period portions of the normal progression schedule.
Example of GS Step Progression
Consider an employee who starts at GS-7 Step 1 and remains in GS-7 while meeting all WGI requirements.
- After the required 52 weeks at Step 1, the employee may advance to Step 2.
- After 52 weeks at Step 2, the employee may advance to Step 3.
- After 52 weeks at Step 3, the employee may advance to Step 4.
- Advancement from Step 4 to Step 5 requires 104 weeks.
- The same 104-week waiting period applies from Step 5 to 6 and Step 6 to 7.
- Advancement from Steps 7 to 8, 8 to 9, and 9 to 10 requires 156 weeks at each step.
The employee's salary at each point should be determined using the official pay table applicable to the employee rather than by estimating the increase from the previous salary.
How to Check Your Next GS Step Increase
To understand a potential upcoming step increase, start by identifying your current GS grade and step. Then determine when you entered that step and which waiting period applies.
You should also consider whether any personnel action affected the waiting period and whether you satisfy the applicable WGI eligibility requirements. Your agency's human resources office and official personnel records are the appropriate sources for confirming an individual WGI effective date.
GS Step Increase Frequently Asked Questions
How often do GS employees receive step increases?
The normal waiting period is 52 weeks for advancement from Steps 1, 2 and 3; 104 weeks for advancement from Steps 4, 5 and 6; and 156 weeks for advancement from Steps 7, 8 and 9. Employees must also satisfy the applicable WGI eligibility requirements.
Does every GS employee start at Step 1?
No. OPM states that a new GS employee is usually hired at Step 1, but agencies can authorize a higher step in certain circumstances, such as when applicable superior-qualifications and special-needs pay-setting authorities are used.
Is a step increase the same as an annual Federal pay raise?
No. A within-grade increase moves an eligible employee to the next step within the same grade. A general pay adjustment changes the applicable pay schedule. They are separate mechanisms and can occur independently.
Can you go beyond Step 10?
There is no regular Step 11 in the GS system. Step 10 is the highest regular step in each GS grade.
Does changing GS grades reset your step?
A promotion is subject to Federal pay-setting rules. The new step is determined under those rules rather than simply carrying the old step number into the higher grade. Employees should check the official promotion action or contact their agency's human resources office for their specific rate.
Official OPM Guidance
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is the authoritative source for General Schedule within-grade increase rules. Employees making decisions about their own pay or eligibility should verify their situation with current OPM guidance and their agency's human resources office.