One aspect that makes civil service jobs and careers such a highly regarded and sought after field is the civil service salary. Currently, there over two million people are currently in a civil service position or career, making the United States Government the nation’s largest employer. However, just as there are a different variety of civil service positions, there is also quite a difference in the civil service salary.

The changes in civil service salary will prove to be the same as with other jobs, depending on the nature of the position and the location of the job. In cases where the job is harder to fill or requires certain specialization, the civil service salary may be higher. 

Almost all government or civil service jobs will be based upon a civil service pay scale, also known as a General Schedule pay scale. The civil service pay scale was adopted with the enactment of the Classification Act of 1949. The General Schedule is used form most professional, technical, and administrative positions in the civil service, while the Wage Grade schedule is used for blue collar positions.

There are also other civil service pay scale systems, such as the Federal Wage System and the Senior Level pay scale. The civil service pay scale is divided into fifteen schedules, starting from about $20,000 and getting as  high as $150,000. However, the average is about $50,000, though this will also depend on the state as well. 

Civil service careers will prove to be among the most wanted in the United States. Aside from stable positions and competitive salaries, one of the more attractive factors in regards to civil service jobs is the Civil Service Retirement System and the civil service pensions plan. The Civil Service Retirement System was implemented in 1920, which provided for the benefits to all employees of the United States Government.

However, people that were hired after 1987 will not be covered under the Civil Service Retirement System. All employees that have been hired after 1987 are currently enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System. 

The Civil Service Retirement System will prove to act more like civil service pensions, where the Federal Employees Retirement System is slightly different. The FERS is considered to be a three tiered system which includes a smaller defined benefit, Social Security, and a 401(k) style system.

Employees under the Civil Service Retirement System do not participate in Social Security benefits, for they do not pay any taxes into the Social Security System. However, under certain circumstances, some employees may qualify for Social Security under certain conditions, usually by criteria met upon being rehired into a civil service position. 

The civil service pensions benefits will be contingent upon a certain age, which is known as the Minimum Retirement Age. The MRA is based upon the person’s year of birth, and will have different MRA dependent on the year. For individuals born after 1970, the MRA is 57 years, though those born in previous will have a lower MRA.