President Trump Proposes 3.8 Percent Pay Increase for Federal Law Enforcement
President Trump proposed a 3.8 percent pay raise for certain federal law enforcement personnel in 2027– as he proposed a freeze on base and locality pay for the rest of the civilian federal workforce.
In a letter to Congress outlining his alternative pay plan, the president said the 3.8 percent raise will help with recruitment and retention in “critical law enforcement roles.” The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was directed to use its special pay authority to implement the increase, once finalized.
The proposal would continue the administration’s approach from 2026, when certain law enforcement positions received special pay increases while most federal civilian employees received a one percent raise.
The president said that a freeze on the majority of federal workers' pay will “maintain fiscal responsibility without harming the government’s ability to recruit and retain well qualified employees.”
Broader Coverage in 2027
In a FAQ, OPM said that it will consult with affected agencies to identify positions covered by the special rates.
OPM noted that the president has directed a “broader approach” toward the raises for 2027, unlike last year when it applied to specific categories of front-line law enforcement personnel. OPM also said positions that received the special rate in 2026 will receive the increase again in 2027. The rates are subject to a salary cap of level IV on the Executive Schedule ($197,200), which could reduce the increase in limited circumstances.
Final agency and occupational coverage will be issued later this year, with a tentative effective date of January 10, 2027.
Next Steps
Congress could alter federal pay policy through the appropriations process, but there has been little indication that lawmakers will do so. The House Appropriations Committee passed the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) spending bill without including a federal pay raise. The Senate has yet to take up the legislation.
Nothing is final until the President issues an executive order to officially set pay rates.
Recruitment Worries
The administration says the raise will boost recruitment for critical law enforcement positions– and it says it’s not worried about recruitment issues in the broader federal workforce. Federal employee organizations dispute that approach.
“A pay freeze will only deflate federal employees’ morale, erode employee retention and recruitment, and lead to a lower quality of services from the federal government,” said Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Linda Lentjes.
