Understanding Govt Schedule Pay vs. SES Pay

The next submit explores Understanding Govt Schedule Pay vs. SES Pay (for Federal Job Seekers).

For a lot of federal job seekers aiming for senior management positions, the distinction between Govt Schedule pay and Senior Govt Service (SES) pay might be complicated.

Learn: Understanding the SES {Qualifications} Overview Board (for Federal Job Seekers)

Associated: Navigating Main SES Modifications

Each contain high-level roles, however the best way salaries are decided may be very totally different. Understanding these distinctions may also help candidates set expectations and higher navigate their profession paths.

Right here’s what you must know.

Govt Schedule (EX) Pay

What’s Govt Schedule (EX) pay within the federal authorities?

Merely put, it’s a set, statutory wage construction for sure management positions within the federal authorities together with company heads, Cupboard secretaries, and different high-level political appointees.

The important thing factor to grasp about Govt Schedule pay is that it’s set by legislation. Salaries for every degree are fastened and don’t change primarily based on particular person efficiency, company, or different components. 

Primarily, if a place is classed at a selected Govt Schedule degree, you already know precisely what the wage will probably be. Positions are categorized into 5 ranges (I–V), with Stage I representing the best pay.

Govt Schedule Pay – Instance

Jane has been appointed as the pinnacle of a federal company, a place categorized at Govt Schedule Stage II. For 2026, Stage II pays $203,700. As a result of her pay is statutory, Jane receives precisely $203,700, no matter her efficiency or agency-specific components. Everybody else in Stage II receives the identical fastened wage.

Beneath is a screenshot of the Govt Schedule wage desk for 2026.

Senior Govt Service (SES) Pay

What’s Senior Govt Service (SES) pay within the federal authorities?

In contrast to Govt Schedule pay, SES pay just isn’t a single fastened wage. As a substitute, it operates inside a pay vary that enables companies flexibility to set particular person compensation for profession senior executives.

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Employment

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Crucial factor to grasp about SES pay is that it’s performance-based. This implies two SES executives in comparable roles can earn totally different salaries relying on their efficiency.

In sensible phrases, SES pay works extra like a band than a ladder. There’s a minimal and a most price of primary pay, and companies place executives someplace inside that band. 

SES Pay – Instance

John is a profession SES government on the identical company. The SES pay vary for his place is $170,000–$215,000. His company determines his wage primarily based on efficiency. If John demonstrates excellent outcomes, he would possibly earn $210,000. If his efficiency is common, he may earn $180,000. One other SES colleague would possibly earn a unique quantity, even in the identical function, as a result of SES pay is versatile inside the pay band.

Beneath is a screenshot of the SES primary pay vary desk for 2026.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this text is useful for understanding the distinction between Govt Schedule and SES pay. Govt Schedule pay is fastened by legislation and applies to appointed management roles. SES pay is performance-based inside a set vary. Understanding the distinction will assist candidates set lifelike expectations and perceive how efficiency can affect their compensation as an SES member.

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