You're a government agency employee. How can you negotiate your salary?

1 Know your pay scale

Government agencies use different pay systems to determine the salary range and grade for each job. For example, the General Schedule (GS) is the most common system for federal employees, while the Federal Wage System (FWS) covers blue-collar workers. You should research your pay scale and find out the minimum and maximum salary for your grade and step, as well as the factors that affect your progression. This will help you understand your current and potential earnings, as well as the limitations and opportunities for negotiation.

2 Prepare your case

Before you ask for a salary increase, you need to have a strong case to support your request. You should document your achievements, contributions, and impact on the agency's goals and mission. You should also gather evidence of your skills, qualifications, and competencies that make you a valuable employee. You can use performance reviews, feedback, awards, certifications, or training as proof of your accomplishments and potential. You should also benchmark your salary against comparable jobs in the public and private sectors, and highlight any gaps or discrepancies.

3 Choose the right time

Timing is crucial when it comes to negotiating your salary. You should avoid asking for a raise when the agency is facing budget cuts, hiring freezes, or other financial challenges. You should also consider the frequency and schedule of pay adjustments in your agency, and align your request with the appropriate cycle. For example, if you are a GS employee, you may receive an annual increase based on inflation and locality, as well as a within-grade increase based on length of service and performance. You should plan your negotiation before these adjustments take effect, or when you are eligible for a promotion or reclassification.

4 Negotiate with confidence

Once you have prepared your case and chosen the right time, you should approach your supervisor or manager and initiate the negotiation. You should be polite, professional, and respectful, but also confident and assertive. You should state your desired salary and explain why you deserve it, using your evidence and benchmarks. You should also be ready to answer any questions or objections, and to compromise if necessary. You should not accept the first offer, but rather counter with a reasonable range or alternative options. You should also consider other aspects of your compensation package, such as bonuses, leave, health benefits, or training opportunities.

5 Follow up and document

After the negotiation, you should follow up with your supervisor or manager and confirm the outcome in writing. You should thank them for their time and consideration, and restate the agreed terms and conditions. You should also ask for a timeline and a process for implementing the changes, and keep track of the progress. You should also document the negotiation and the results for your own records, and use them as a reference for future negotiations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?