President Biden has formally announced his decision of a 2.7 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2022, with a 2.2 percent raise across the board and a 0.5 percent increase in locality pay, not counting an additional WIG (within grade or longevity raise) based on time in their grade and a satisfactory rating. This number compares favorably to the 1 percent raise for 2021, but is less than the 3.2 percent proposed in this year’s FAIR Act sponsored by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). Rep. Connolly and Sen. Schatz and their respective staffs have pushed hard for a 3.2 percent raise, which FMA endorsed, and we appreciate their efforts on behalf of feds.

While FMA worked hard for 3.2 percent, 2.7 percent is a reasonable and acceptable number, and is decent in comparison to recent years. We will continue to work to secure the largest possible raise for feds going forward and look forward to continuing our partnership with dedicated legislators such as Rep. Connolly and Sen. Schatz.

This number is fully set in stone, as President Biden informed Congress that he would be exercising his executive ability to set federal pay rates granted to him by an ongoing state of emergency. This round is officially over – now, it’s time for us to start work on the 2023 pay raise.