When will the official 2026 federal pay raise percentage and locality adjustments be announced?

1. Why December is the date most federal employees watch

Historically and in current reporting, OPM’s final pay tables and the executive action implementing an alternative pay plan are usually released in December; multiple sources state that nothing is finalized until that December step occurs and that the pay tables “will be published” or “usually come out in December” ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Coverage from FedSmith and FederalNewsNetwork reiterates that the White House’s transmitted plan still requires OPM’s formalization — a December executive order or OPM pay table publication is the usual final step ^{[3] [2]}.

2. What has already been proposed for 2026 and who made the call

The White House transmitted an alternative pay plan in late August calling for a 1.0% base increase for most General Schedule employees and a targeted 3.8% increase for certain law enforcement personnel; it also proposed freezing locality pay at 2025 levels though some locality area changes and reclassifications could still occur ^{[1] [5] [4]}. That transmitted plan is the administration’s proposal under FEPCA authority, not an immediate, final pay table ^{[1] [3]}.

3. What OPM still needs to do before pay is “official”

OPM must publish the official GS pay tables and any special rate tables (for law enforcement, etc.) and typically does so in December; reporters make clear that until OPM issues an executive order or pay tables, “nothing will be finalized” ^{[2] [3]}. FederalNewsNetwork and other outlets note OPM is working on special salary rates and will release the pay tables and special rates at the same time the broader GS tables are published ^{[2] [6]}.

4. Where Congress and law make this uncertain

The administration’s alternative plan can be implemented administratively, but Congress could pass legislation to set different pay amounts or block elements in appropriations or other action; several outlets stress the plan is subject to legislative change and that Congress has opportunities to modify pay decisions ^{[1] [7]}. Reporting also highlights that statutory formulas (FEPCA) could have produced much larger locality increases absent the administration’s approach, underscoring political and legal levers that can alter outcomes ^[4].

5. Timing for related announcements retirees and employees watch

Separate but related announcements such as the federal COLA for retirees use third‑quarter inflation data and are usually determined and announced later in October, per reporting on COLA timing — but the official GS tables and locality decisions are still tied to the December OPM actions described above ^[8]. Special rate tables for certain occupations are expected by year‑end as well, with some outlets saying OPM expects to release them by the end of 2025 ^{[8] [2]}.

6. Practical takeaway: when you’ll “know for sure”

Based on current reporting, federal employees should expect the official 2026 federal pay raise percentage and locality adjustments to be announced when OPM publishes the final GS pay tables and any coordinating executive order — most likely in December — although the underlying White House proposal and agency notices already outline a 1.0% base increase and freeze of locality pay with special 3.8% increases for selected law enforcement roles ^{[3] [1] [2]}. Be aware that Congress could still act to change those figures before or after OPM’s action ^[1].

Limitations and what I could not confirm from these sources

Available sources do not mention an exact calendar day in December when OPM will publish the tables this year; they also do not provide a final list of which law enforcement job series will receive the 3.8% until OPM completes consultations with agencies ^{[2] [3]}.