Some Law Enforcement Jobs Could See a 6.7% Raise in 2027
OPM plans a 3.8% raise in January for covered law enforcement positions and about 6.7% for newly covered ones, and most other pay stays frozen.
Source: OPM, CPM 2026-13 (November 6, 2026); Alternative Plan for Pay Adjustments (August 26, 2026).
Who Gets What
| Group | January 2027 raise |
| Positions already on OPM's 2026 special rate tables (L001 through L140), about 140,000 employees | 3.8% |
| Secret Service Uniformed Division, Park Police, State Department Diplomatic Security agents and criminal investigators, and NNSA nuclear materials couriers (non-GS special rates) | 3.8% |
| Newly covered GS law enforcement officers in approved LEO positions, including some inspector general positions | About 6.7% |
| Newly covered GS police (0083, except VA), security administration employees with arrest authority (0080), and criminal investigators (1811) | About 6.7% |
| Newly covered non-GS criminal investigators at Commerce, the Peace Corps, and the SEC | 6.68% |
| VA police | Handled separately |
| CBP agricultural inspectors and certain firefighters | OPM is considering 3.8% |
| Most General Schedule employees | 0% |
All of these raises are subject to the pay cap, and the new coverage is prospective, not retroactive. OPM described the plan in a November 6 memo to agency human resources officers, and its 2027 special rates page explains who is covered. Coverage is not final until OPM issues the 2027 special rate tables.
How the 6.7% Adds Up
The president's August 26 alternative pay plan freezes General Schedule base and locality pay at 2026 levels. It also directs OPM to raise law enforcement pay by 3.8%. OPM plans to do that through special rates, tentatively effective January 10.
In January 2026, covered law enforcement employees got the 1% base raise plus 2.77% through special rates, for 3.8% in total. Positions added to the special rates for 2027 never received that 2.77%. OPM says it will give them that adjustment on top of the 3.8%, and the two compound to about 6.7%.
Key Points
- Who is covered. Coverage is automatic unless an agency head or designee sends OPM a signed letter asking for an exclusion by November 25.
- The pay cap. Special rates can't exceed Executive Schedule Level IV, which stays at $197,200 in 2027. A second limit keeps a special rate's minimum from exceeding 30% above a grade's maximum basic pay, not counting locality pay. Employees near either limit may see less than the full raise, or none.
- Retirement. OPM says special rates count as basic pay for most purposes, including retirement. FFEBA's pay guide explains how basic pay feeds the high-3.
The memo doesn't create a governmentwide raise. Most General Schedule employees stay at 0% in January unless Congress acts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which federal law enforcement employees get a raise in January 2027?
Positions already on OPM's 2026 law enforcement special rate tables get 3.8%. Positions newly added to the special rates for 2027 get about 6.7%. All of these raises are subject to the pay cap.
Why do some law enforcement positions get about 6.7% instead of 3.8%?
In January 2026, covered law enforcement employees got the 1% base raise plus 2.77% through special rates, for 3.8% in total. Positions added for 2027 never received that 2.77%. OPM says it will give them that adjustment on top of the 3.8%, and the two compound to about 6.7%.
Do most General Schedule employees get a raise in 2027?
No. The president's August 26 alternative pay plan freezes General Schedule base and locality pay at 2026 levels, so most General Schedule employees stay at 0% in January unless Congress acts.
Is the pay cap a limit on the law enforcement raise?
Yes. Special rates can't exceed Executive Schedule Level IV, which stays at $197,200 in 2027. A second limit keeps a special rate's minimum from exceeding 30% above a grade's maximum basic pay, not counting locality pay. Employees near either limit may see less than the full raise, or none.
Sources: OPM, CPM 2026-13, Request for Information: Special Rates to Achieve January 2027 Pay Adjustments for Certain Law Enforcement Personnel (November 6, 2026); OPM, 2027 Special Rates for Certain Law Enforcement Personnel FAQs; Alternative Plan for Pay Adjustments, House Document 119-189 (August 26, 2026); 5 U.S.C. 5305.
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