The top paychecks of federal
workers are set to grow again next year to a six-figure number that rivals the
$174,000 salaries of America’s 535 House and Senate members.
Under a new federal order, salaries for most bureaucrats in the
General Service will rise next year when the cap on top pay hits $164,000.
And for the upper reaches of the government, senior executive
service employees will be allowed to earn a maximum of $189,600.
The Washington area, where the bulk of federal workers are
employed, will get the biggest pay raise under the order signed by President
Trump before Christmas. There, the increase for General Service workers will be 2.29 percent.
The average federal worker in
2016 earned $86,365. With benefits, the total compensation was $123,160.
The average nonfederal pay in the nation was $58,726, with total
compensation at $69,901.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington
Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com