Dear
BureauPat,
I am a
GS 14 with permanent status. If I apply for another government job in a
different agency which is advertised as GS 15, what will my new step level be
if I'm selected for the new position?
Dear Promotion Seeker,
During these economic times, we all need and want the extra cash, but don't forget that
when seeking more responsibility you also get more accountability, so hopefully
the boost in pay will be commensurate.
Since I don't know your current
General Schedule (GS) pay step and duty location, I'll run through two
different scenarios, since there is a government-wide rule which applies to
promotion within the GS.
The basic rule is that you take the
current Grade and step and increase the step two levels and compare to the new
grade.
For example, if you are GS 14 Step 1
which currently has a 2009 base salary of $83,445 (not including locality
pay), add two steps. This puts you
as a GS 14 Step 3 with a base salary of $89,009. Next you compare that salary to the new GS-15 grade which
starts off at $98,156. Since GS 14
Step 3 base salary is below the GS 15 step 1, your promotion would bring you in
as a GS 15 Step 1, a $14,711 pay increase. Nice raise!
Let's say you're a seasoned GS 14
step 6 with a 2009 base pay of $97,335. Using the same procedure you add two steps. This puts you as a GS 14 Step 8 with a base salary of
$102,919. Next compare that salary
to the GS-15 table which puts you between GS 15 step 2 and GS 15 Step 3. We always round up in government so
your promotion grade and step would be GS 15 Step 3 with a base salary of
$104,428, a $7,093 pay increase.
Not so bad!
Again, remember your promotion not
only provides additional pay but additional responsibility and more importantly
increased accountability. So, you
may want to think twice... after all a GS-14 is a pretty cushy place to be!
Yours in Gov,
Bureaupat
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