Fact Sheet: How To Compute Rates Of Pay - OPM

How to Compute Rates of Pay

Background

Hourly and biweekly rates for General Schedule employees are computed under 5 U.S.C. 5504. Premium pay is computed under 5 U.S.C. chapter 55, subchapter V, and 5 CFR part 550, subpart A. The rates are computed based on an employee’s annual rate of basic pay, including any applicable special rate supplement or locality payment. (Note: Overtime pay for nonexempt employees is computed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, subject to some special rules for Federal employees. See 5 CFR part 551. In addition, firefighters covered by 5 U.S.C. 5545b are subject to special rules for computing hourly rates and overtime pay. See 5 CFR part 550, subpart M.)

Rules for Rounding

Rates must be rounded to the nearest cent, counting one-half cent and over as the next higher cent (e.g., round $18.845 to $18.85).

Procedure

Follow the rules below to compute rates of pay. (Note: The examples below are based on annual rates that have been increased by a locality pay percentage of 33.94%. See Salary Table 2026-DCB.)

1. Hourly Rate.

   Divide annual rate of basic pay by 2,087 hours.GS-9, step 1 = $70,623. $70,623 / 2,087 hours = $33.84.

2. Biweekly Rate.

   Multiply hourly rate of basic pay by 80 hours.$33.84 x 80 hours = $2,707.20.

3. Title 5 Overtime Hourly Rate
   1. if employee's rate of basic pay is less than rate of basic pay for GS-10, step 1

      Multiply hourly rate of basic pay by 1.5.$33.84 x 1.5 = $50.76.

   2. if employee's rate of basic pay is more than rate of basic pay for GS-10, step 1

      Use the greater of (1) the GS-10, step 1, hourly rate of basic pay multiplied by 1.5 or (2) the employee’s hourly rate of basic pay.  (5 CFR 550.113)

      GS-10, step 1 = $77,771. $77,771 / 2,087 hours = $37.26. $37.26 x 1.5 = $55.89.GS-14, step 1 = $143,913. $143,913 / 2,087 hours = $68.96.

      In this example, the employee’s hourly rate of basic pay ($68.96) is greater than the GS-10, step 1, hourly rate of basic pay multiplied by 1.5 ($55.89). Therefore, the employee’s title 5 overtime hourly rate is equal to their hourly rate of basic pay.

4. Night Pay.

   Multiply hourly rate of basic pay by 10%. (5 CFR 550.121)

   GS-9, step 1 = $70,623. $70,623 / 2,087 hours = $33.84.$33.84 x 0.10 = $3.38.
5. Sunday Premium Pay.

   Multiply hourly rate of basic pay by 25%. (5 CFR 550.171)

   $33.84 x 0.25 = $8.46.

6. Holiday Premium Pay.

   Multiply hourly rate of basic pay by number of non-overtime hours worked on holiday (not to exceed 8 hours or the number of non-overtime hours of a compressed work schedule). (5 CFR 550.131 and 5 CFR 610.407)

   $33.84 x 8 hours = $270.72.