Page 1 of 1

Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:13 am
by SMARTgirl
Can anyone post what the approximate actual starting pay is for someone on the GS scale? I know that we are supposed to start out as a GS-07 step 1 ( unless negotiated higher), but OPM.gov lists that at $37,301 , which seems extremely low. The GS-07 step 1 salary including the "rest of United States" locality pay is listed as $43,251, which I still think is low.
My old sponsoring facility sent out a PPT 2 years ago stating that electrical engineers with a BS at that facility (had the "rest of United State" locality pay, like my new facility) started at $47,264, which is different from the OPM.gov listing. I graduate at the end of this semester, and the area that I am going to is a pretty expensive area, even though it doesn't have a special locality pay (way more expensive area than my old SF). I guess I'm just trying to work out what I can expect so that I can start figuring out my living situation.

Has anyone been hired recently? Can you post your starting pay or any insight on what I should expect?

Thank you!

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:25 am
by Jason chachachacha
Starting for an engineer with a Bachelor's is $48,488 for rest of the United States locality pay at GS-07 step 1. Engineers have a different pay scale for GS-07 and GS-09.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:18 pm
by ttdub
It differs between sponsoring facilities. You could ask your contact at your sponsoring facility for the exact numbers.

The scales are FOUO so you won't find them online but your SF contact should tell you

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 11:32 pm
by guest007
The tables are not FOUO, you can find them on the OPM website, and you can specifically search for "Special Pay Tables." Then you can input your job, location, and agency and it will tell you what you will start at for GS 7-1. Then the negotiating is up to you.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:15 pm
by AWordToTheWise
Rumor has it that depending on qualifications, school, grades and summer internships, some people have had offers far beyond step 1.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:25 pm
by guest007
AWordToTheWise wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:15 pm
Rumor has it that depending on qualifications, school, grades and summer internships, some people have had offers far beyond step 1.
Rumor is true. My boss hooked me up with a "Superior Qualification" letter that was based on market value of my position in my area and my previous internship pay/ other offers outside SMART. It got me to step 4. It really helps if your hiring manager is on your side and genuinely going to bat for you.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2020 5:39 pm
by malarious
Did you check that your facility uses the GS scale? I do not know the Bachelors pay on GS. I started at 61000, that is with locality pay of over 20%. This is no experience. I am on labdemo pay scale though.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:11 pm
by human234895
Make sure also to include the locality pay adjustment. With few exceptions, you should be able to find the exact pay table.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:31 am
by SMARTgirl1
So, I got my intent to hire and the quoted starting pay was $43,683, which is a GS-07 step-1 with rest of locality pay. This is not a special rate. I am confused because my previous SF quoted my starting pay as over $48k in 2018 and my previous SF was in a MUCH cheaper area to live (comparable house cost about half). This SF is in a very expensive area. Any insight?

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:24 pm
by Guest007
Follow the link below, and fill in the 3 drop down choices for Occupation, Location, and Agency. A pay table should pop up with a higher pay for GS 7-11 which is intended to make your pay closer to market rate to aid in the hiring of young engineers and scientists. In my experience, my hiring manager and personnel office were not aware that this existed so you will likely have to bring it to their attention.

https://apps.opm.gov/specialrates/search.aspx

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:14 pm
by MainRotorGearbox
My SF Starts a bachelors degree holder w/ at least a 2.95 GPA at GS-7 Step 10 with a 16% "Rest of US" locality adjustment. Ends up being like $57k in 2021, but i believe there is a little extra added on top for "special rates" for engineers.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:49 pm
by 2020gradMasters
When I got my job offer it was a GS-9, step one, rest of US, not eligible for any special pay schedules. It’s like $53k, I’m in the math job series 1500s. SMART paid for my masters & my SF is in the middle of nowhere haha.

Re: Accurate Starting Pay GS Scale

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:36 pm
by Guest
Oh man. I feel bad for all of you. I was 65K with a BS in 2010. I was on the AcqDemo payscale though.