There is no official “Schedule F pay scale” or published salary table for Schedule F. The term refers to a proposed federal employment classification, not a compensation plan; pay for any affected position would depend on the applicable federal pay system, grade, locality, and other rules.
What Schedule F refers to
Schedule F was the name used in a 2020 executive order for a proposed category of federal positions described as having a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character. The order directed agencies to identify positions that might fall within that category. It did not create a new salary schedule with its own grades, steps, or dollar amounts.
The classification question and the pay question are separate. A job’s employment status determines matters such as appointment and removal procedures; its pay is set through an applicable compensation system and position classification. Calling a role “Schedule F” therefore does not, by itself, tell you its salary.
The 2020 order was revoked in January 2021. A later executive order, issued in January 2025, directed the establishment of a category called Schedule Policy/Career and the rescission of certain prior workforce policies. The later category is distinct in name and legal history from the original Schedule F. Neither label should be treated as a salary table. For current status, consult official federal personnel documents and agency announcements, since implementation and litigation can affect how policies operate.
How federal salaries are usually determined
Many federal civilian employees are paid under the General Schedule (GS), but the federal workforce also includes other pay systems. Under GS, pay is generally based on a position’s grade and step, with locality pay affecting the amount in many locations. An employee’s salary can also be affected by special pay rates, career progression, and other applicable rules.
- Grade: The level assigned to a position based on its duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications.
- Step: A position within a grade that changes the base salary. Step placement and progression are governed by applicable rules.
- Locality: A geographic adjustment that may apply to GS pay. The relevant location matters when checking a salary figure.
- Pay system: Some roles use systems other than GS, such as wage-grade or agency-specific systems. A GS table cannot automatically be applied to every federal job.
For example, two employees with the same GS grade may receive different salaries if they are in different locality areas or at different steps. Conversely, a policy-related role could use a different pay plan entirely. The title “Schedule F” alone supplies none of these details.
Is there a Schedule F salary chart?
No official Schedule F salary chart exists as a separate pay scale. A chart online that assigns a particular dollar amount to “Schedule F” may be confusing it with GS pay, another federal pay system, a proposed position, or a news estimate. Check what the chart actually identifies: pay plan, grade or level, step, location, effective date, and whether the figure is base pay or includes adjustments.
Federal salary tables are updated periodically. A figure copied from an older table can be inaccurate for a later year, and a base-pay amount may not match an employee’s total salary after locality adjustments. Use current official tables and the position’s specific information rather than relying on a label alone.
How to find pay for a specific position
If you are evaluating a federal vacancy or trying to understand an employee’s pay, use the position details rather than searching for a Schedule F rate. A practical check is:
- Find the vacancy announcement, personnel record, or official position description.
- Identify the pay plan and grade or equivalent level. If it says GS, note the grade and any stated step information.
- Check the work location and applicable locality table for the correct year.
- Look for a special salary rate or other pay adjustment noted by the agency.
- Ask the agency’s human resources contact to clarify any missing pay-plan or salary details.
A vacancy announcement may show a salary range rather than one guaranteed starting salary. The range can reflect multiple grades, steps, or locations. The exact amount offered can depend on position-specific rules and an individual’s circumstances; the Schedule F label does not establish it.
Schedule F and the General Schedule are not the same
The General Schedule is a compensation framework with published grade-and-step tables. Schedule F was a proposed employment category, not a counterpart to GS with its own pay table. Confusion often arises because “schedule” appears in the names of both federal pay systems and employment categories.
It is also inaccurate to assume that changing a role’s employment classification automatically raises or lowers its pay. Classification, hiring status, and compensation are related aspects of federal employment, but one does not provide enough information to calculate the others. Any pay change would need to be supported by the applicable pay rules and agency action, not inferred from the name of a category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Schedule F pay scale?
There is no separate Schedule F pay scale. A position’s compensation would depend on its actual pay system, grade or level, location, and applicable adjustments.
Does Schedule F use GS grades?
“Schedule F” itself does not define GS grades. A particular federal position might be paid under GS or another system, but that must be confirmed from the position’s official details.
Can I estimate a Schedule F salary from a GS table?
Only if you know the position is actually paid under GS and have the relevant grade, step, location, and year. The Schedule F name alone is not enough to select a row in a GS table.
Is Schedule F currently in effect?
The original 2020 Schedule F order was revoked in 2021. A 2025 executive order introduced a separately named Schedule Policy/Career category and directed related changes. Check current official records for the status and implementation relevant to a particular agency or job.
Where can I check a federal job’s salary?
Start with the official vacancy announcement or position documents, then consult the relevant current pay table and locality information. Contact the agency’s human resources office if the pay plan or range is unclear.
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