The likelihood that federal civilian employees will receive a pay increase in 2027 appears to be diminishing.
The House Appropriations Committee recently moved forward with the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill for 2027 without including any provision for a salary increase for civilian federal workers.
This follows the budget proposal from Trump administration, which also did not mention a pay raise for civilian employees.
Proposal for Civilian Pay Raise Rejected
During the markup process, Steny Hoyer introduced an amendment proposing a 3.1% pay increase for federal civilian employees.
Hoyer emphasized the importance of restoring pay parity, noting that the administration has proposed a 5% to 7% salary increase for military personnel.
“For much of the past 30 years, there has been parity between military and civilian pay,” Hoyer said. “We should return to a system where individuals performing comparable roles are treated equally.”
However, the amendment did not pass, falling short by four votes.
Republican Response to Pay Policy
Republican lawmakers defended the decision, stating that it reflects the administration’s approach to reshaping the federal workforce.
David Joyce, who chairs the subcommittee overseeing financial services and general government, explained that presidents often implement alternative pay plans.
He noted that the current administration has chosen to prioritize higher pay increases for certain roles, such as law enforcement, over administrative or office-based positions, calling it a standard part of political decision-making.
Workforce Policy Amendments Also Rejected
Lawmakers also turned down two additional amendments that would have affected broader workforce policies.
One amendment, introduced by Steny Hoyer, sought to prevent federal agencies from using government funds to implement Schedule Policy/Career and Schedule G, which are new employment classifications designed to convert some federal employees into at-will workers.
Another amendment, proposed by Glenn Ivey, aimed to block the use of federal funds to terminate collective bargaining agreements on national security grounds.
Both proposals were ultimately rejected.
Possible Pay Increase for Law Enforcement
While a general pay increase for civilian workers remains uncertain, there are indications that certain law enforcement personnel could receive a salary boost.
According to a White House budget document, the administration “assumes” that specific categories of law enforcement employees will receive a pay increase in calendar year 2027, even if a broader pay freeze remains in place.
A report from FedWeek highlighted that similar measures were implemented in 2026, when law enforcement personnel received higher pay adjustments through “special rate” authority.
However, the budget does not provide details on how these increases would be implemented or whether they will apply to the same groups that benefited previously.
What Happens Next?
At this stage, no final decisions have been made regarding federal employee pay for 2027. There is still a possibility that federal workers could receive a raise.
The president is expected to release an alternative pay plan in August, which may outline potential adjustments. Additionally, Congress retains the authority to pass legislation that could include a pay increase in the coming months.