Federal workers will receive a 1% across-the-board pay raise beginning January 2026, under President Donald Trump’s Alternative Pay Plan. However, law-enforcement officers will get an additional 2.8% special adjustment, implemented by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through Title 5 “special pay rates.” Here’s when the raise begins, who qualifies, and how it affects benefits and locality pay.
Contents
- 1 OPM COLA Increase 2026
- 2 Overview of the 2026 OPM Pay Adjustment
- 3 Law-Enforcement Pay Boost Explained
- 4 Security and Recruitment at the Core
- 5 2026 Federal Pay Schedule: Implementation Timeline
- 6 How the Raise Affects Benefits and Pensions?
- 7 Recruitment Incentives and Additional Flexibilities
- 8 Why the 2026 Pay Raise Matters?
- 9 FAQs: OPM COLA and Pay Raise 2026
OPM COLA Increase 2026
President Donald Trump has formally approved a 1% base-pay increase for all federal employees beginning in January 2026, while freezing locality rates at 2025 levels. The plan, known as an Alternative Pay Plan, also grants law-enforcement personnel an extra 2.8% raise in recognition of their national-security duties.
“The President considers these agents critical to protecting citizens and keeping the country safe,” an OPM spokesperson said. “Without additional incentives, the government risks losing specialized professionals in vital security posts.”
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The Office of Personnel Management will publish new 2026 General Schedule (GS) pay tables before year-end 2025. The revised salaries take effect January 11, 2026, the first pay period of the calendar year.
Overview of the 2026 OPM Pay Adjustment
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Across-the-Board Base Pay Increase | 1% (effective Jan 11 2026) |
| Locality Pay Adjustment | Frozen at 2025 levels |
| Special Law-Enforcement Increase | + 2.8% applied to base salary |
| Administered By | Office of Personnel Management (OPM) |
| Legal Authority | Title 5 U.S. Code §5305 (Special Pay Rates) |
| Pay Cap Limit | Executive Schedule Level IV (~ $197,200) |
| Publication of New Tables | December 2025 |
Law-Enforcement Pay Boost Explained
The special 2.8% pay adjustment applies through OPM’s special rate authority, allowing agencies to increase base salaries in fields facing recruitment or retention challenges.
Positions and agencies included:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Border Patrol agents, air and marine interdiction officers.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – special agents and deportation inspectors.
- U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, DEA, ATF, Federal Protective Service.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons and National Park Service rangers assigned to U.S. Park Police.
“Front-line enforcement has seen the highest attrition rates,” said Dr. Elaine McCarthy, professor of public administration at Georgetown University. “This special rate helps stabilize staffing in critical homeland-security roles.”
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These adjustments apply directly to base salary, influencing all retirement contributions, overtime pay, and bonus calculations.
Security and Recruitment at the Core
According to the White House memo, the primary goal is to strengthen national-security personnel pipelines, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ).
The administration warned that without extra incentives, agencies could face ongoing difficulties hiring and retaining skilled federal employees in border regions, corrections, and field enforcement.
The OPM will coordinate with DHS, DOJ, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to finalize coverage areas by early 2026.
2026 Federal Pay Schedule: Implementation Timeline
| Milestone | Date / Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Alternative Pay Plan Signed | September 2025 | Official memo issued under 5 U.S.C. §5303 & §5304 |
| New GS Pay Tables Released by OPM | December 2025 | Updated rates posted on opm.gov |
| Base Pay Increase Takes Effect | January 11, 2026 | 1% raise + 2.8% LE boost begins |
| Locality Pay Rates | Frozen | Retain 2025 percentages |
| Pay Cap Applied | 2026 Cycle | Maximum salary ≈ $197,200 per year |
“The freeze on locality pay means most civilian employees will see a modest bump, while law-enforcement officers get a targeted lift,” explained Michael Harris, labor economist with the Federal Compensation Council.
How the Raise Affects Benefits and Pensions?
Because the 1% and 2.8% increases apply to base pay, they also affect:
- Retirement contributions under FERS and CSRS.
- Overtime and holiday pay calculations.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching contributions tied to salary.
- Life insurance and disability benefit formulas.
However, employees earning at or near Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200) will not receive increases above that statutory cap.
Recruitment Incentives and Additional Flexibilities
In parallel, agencies will receive expanded pay flexibilities to manage critical-skills shortages, such as:
- Retention bonuses for agents stationed in remote or high-risk zones.
- Targeted hiring bonuses in cybersecurity, law enforcement, and border operations.
- Flexible leave programs to improve retention and morale.
“The government’s challenge isn’t just paying more—it’s making federal service competitive again,” said Janet Ruiz, former DHS HR director. “This plan helps close that gap in mission-critical areas.”
Why the 2026 Pay Raise Matters?
While the 1% raise may appear modest, it ensures consistency with federal fiscal policy while channeling larger increases where shortages are most acute. For law enforcement and security officers, the 2.8% enhancement represents one of the most significant targeted pay adjustments since 2010.
The decision also reflects ongoing efforts to balance federal budget constraints with recruitment realities, particularly in agencies tasked with border protection, counter-narcotics, and emergency response.
FAQs: OPM COLA and Pay Raise 2026
When does the 2026 federal employee pay raise start?
The new pay tables take effect January 11, 2026, marking the first pay period of the year.
Who receives the 2.8% special pay increase?
Law-enforcement officers in agencies such as CBP, ICE, Secret Service, FBI, and ATF qualify for the additional raise.
Are locality pay rates changing in 2026?
No. Locality pay rates remain frozen at 2025 levels under the Alternative Pay Plan.
Will the pay raise affect retirement and overtime?
Yes. The increase applies to base salary and influences pension, overtime, and other benefit computations.
What is the maximum salary cap for 2026?
Federal pay is capped at Executive Schedule Level IV, approximately $197,200 per year.
When will new pay tables be available?
OPM will release updated GS and special-rate tables in December 2025 at opm.gov.