A GS-14 salary is generally considered a very good salary, especially when considering the comprehensive benefits package and career stability associated with federal employment. It represents a senior-level position within the U.S. federal government's General Schedule (GS) pay system.
Understanding the GS-14 Salary Scale
The General Schedule (GS) pay scale is the primary pay system for white-collar federal employees. A GS-14 position typically signifies significant responsibility, expertise, and leadership within an agency. The exact annual salary for a GS-14 depends on two main factors:
- Step Increases: Each GS grade has 10 steps, with employees typically advancing a step annually for the first few years, then every two or three years. Each step provides a pay increase.
- Locality Pay: Federal salaries are adjusted based on the cost of living in various geographical regions across the United States. This "locality pay" can significantly increase the base salary for employees in high-cost-of-living areas like Washington D.C., New York, or California.
As a general guideline, a GS-14 annual salary can range from approximately $99,000 to over $150,000 per year, depending on the step and specific locality pay area. For example, a GS-14, Step 1 in a lower-cost area might earn around $99,000, while a GS-14, Step 10 in a high-cost-of-living area could earn over $150,000.
Hourly Wage Insights for GS-14 Level Roles
While federal GS-14 positions are salaried roles with annual pay, broader market data for positions that may be compared to or function at a GS-14 level can offer insights into hourly equivalents. As of December 16, 2024, observations for various "GS 14" related roles in the United States indicate a wide range of hourly pay:
| Pay Metric | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Average Hourly Pay | $23.11 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.94 |
| 75th Percentile | $32.69 |
| Highest Observed | $52.64 |
| Lowest Observed | $10.34 |
This data reflects a diverse market where some roles might be paid hourly based on contract work or other arrangements, even if they correspond to the responsibility level of a GS-14.
Comprehensive Benefits of a GS-14 Position
Beyond the base salary, federal GS-14 positions come with a robust benefits package that significantly adds to the overall compensation and makes the salary highly competitive. These benefits include:
- Health Insurance: Access to a wide range of health, dental, and vision insurance plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with a significant portion of premiums paid by the government.
- Retirement Plan: Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes:
- A Basic Benefit Plan (a defined benefit plan).
- Social Security benefits.
- The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k)-like retirement savings and investment plan with government matching contributions (up to 5% of salary).
- Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave (vacation) and sick leave accruals. New employees typically earn 13 days of annual leave and 13 days of sick leave per year, which increases with years of service.
- Federal Holidays: 11 paid federal holidays per year.
- Life Insurance: Optional participation in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.
- Job Security: Federal positions generally offer high job security compared to the private sector.
- Work-Life Balance: Many federal agencies offer flexible work schedules, telework options, and family-friendly policies.
- Career Development: Opportunities for training, education, and career advancement within the federal service.
Factors Influencing the "Goodness" of a GS-14 Salary
Whether a GS-14 salary is "good" can also depend on individual circumstances and context:
- Cost of Living: A GS-14 salary will go further in a lower-cost-of-living area compared to a major metropolitan area. However, locality pay adjustments aim to mitigate this.
- Prior Experience and Education: For many, reaching a GS-14 level reflects years of specialized experience or advanced education, making the compensation appropriate for their expertise.
- Personal Financial Goals: The salary allows for a comfortable lifestyle, significant savings, and investment opportunities for many individuals and families.
- Comparison to Private Sector: While some private sector roles might offer higher base salaries, federal benefits, job security, and work-life balance often make the total compensation package very attractive.
Career Advancement Opportunities
A GS-14 position is a senior role, often with leadership responsibilities. From this level, employees may advance to:
- GS-15: The highest grade within the standard General Schedule, often involving high-level management or highly specialized expert roles.
- Senior Executive Service (SES): Top-tier leadership positions within the federal government.
- Technical Experts: Continuing to serve as a principal expert in a specific field without necessarily moving into management.
In conclusion, a GS-14 salary, combined with its comprehensive benefits and career stability, is widely considered a competitive and desirable compensation package within the U.S. federal government.
