Federal Employment Guides
Plain-language explanations of how federal pay works, how to read a GS pay table, and what OPM FedScope data reveals about the U.S. federal workforce.
All guides use data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) FedScope dataset, the official source for federal civilian workforce statistics.
Understanding Federal Pay
How federal pay systems work, GS, SES, and WG schedules, plus locality pay adjustments and what OPM FedScope data reveals about pay distribution across the workforce.
GS Pay Scale Explained
A complete guide to GS grades 1–15, steps 1–10, locality adjustments, and how to read a federal pay table. Understand exactly what determines your GS grade.
Federal Workforce Trends
Which agencies are growing or shrinking, how occupations are shifting, and where federal jobs are concentrated geographically, based on OPM FedScope data.
Highest-Paying Federal Jobs
The top 20 federal civilian occupations by average salary, the agencies that hire them, and the pay authorities that push federal salaries above standard GS limits.
How to Get a Government Job
A step-by-step guide to federal hiring: USAJobs, GS grade qualifications, writing a federal resume, security clearances, and special hiring authorities.
Explore the data behind these guides
How is this guide data sourced?
Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.
We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.