According to reports, the big pay raise for federal civilian workers since Carter’s presidency will take effect in January.
The most significant salary rise for federal workers since 1980—an average of 5.2%—has been approved by President Joe Biden via an executive order. This is happening at a time when many are worried about inflation and the economy, with some placing the blame on excessive government expenditure.
Government spending, particularly pay raises for federal officials, is the root cause of rising inflation. According to a new survey, 76% of Americans believe it is affecting their ability to maintain purchasing power.
There will be a 4.7% raise for federal workers and, depending on their location, an extra 0.5% boost. While Biden unilaterally instituted a pay raise for civilian officials, Congress authorized a 5.2% rise for military personnel.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all American workers working in private businesses saw a 4.5% pay rise from September 2022 to September 2023. Between November 2022 and November 2023, inflation increased at a rate of 3.1%.
According to Government Executive, federal workers had a 4.6% increase in their compensation in 2023. People who work for the federal government already earn much more than the average citizen.
In 2023, the average salary for federal workers was $98,943, as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported. Washington, D.C., federal workers earn an average of $135,078 a year, while federal employees in Maryland make a median of $128,663. Pay in some locations is considerably higher.
It is legal for federal workers to donate to political campaigns with their paychecks. The Democrat Party receives a disproportionate amount of donations from government workers. Federal workers continued to strongly support Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden even while Trump was in office in 2020. Government Executive reports that between 2019 and 2020, government workers contributed $1.06 million to Biden’s campaign, compared to only $743,000 to Trump’s.