Congressional Budget Office (CBO) — Salaries & Pay 2026
CBO employs 250 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024). A representative CBO agency-specific average is unavailable from public data, so this page uses the $111,181/year government-wide benchmark (OPM, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
CBO Pay at a Glance
Employment and salary benchmarks from OMB and OPM official publications.
The Congressional Budget Office employed 250 civilian FTE as of FY2024 (OMB). The government-wide federal salary benchmark is $111,181/year as of 2026 (OPM). A representative agency-specific average is not shown because public salary records are redaction-limited. Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
CBO Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2024) | 250 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Salary Benchmark | $111,181 | OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (data.opm.gov), April 2026. Agency-specific public records are too redaction-limited for a representative average. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most CBO civilians on GS (15 grades x 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26x/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. |
Common Occupations at CBO
Major occupational categories employed at Congressional Budget Office. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- →Budget analysts & economic forecasters
- →Health economists & healthcare policy analysts
- →Tax policy economists
- →Defense & national security analysts
- →Statisticians & data scientists
About Congressional Budget Office
Nonpartisan federal agency that provides economic and budget analysis for Congress. Produces the annual Budget and Economic Outlook and scores (estimates costs of) all major legislation considered by Congress. CBO has no enforcement authority; it only provides analysis. Staff are highly credentialed economists, analysts, and statisticians. CBO uses its own pay system, not the GS schedule; salaries are competitive with private-sector research and think-tank positions. Not covered by OPM EHRI; benchmark shown.
Calculate Your Exact CBO Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
CBO Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Congressional Budget Office?
A representative agency-specific average salary for CBO is not available from the public OPM EHRI snapshot because too many records are redacted or suppressed. FedTools shows the government-wide federal civilian salary benchmark of $111,181 as of 2026 instead of publishing a misleading partial average.
How many employees does the CBO have?
The Congressional Budget Office employed 250 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees as of FY2024, per the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget Table 5-1. FTE figures count part-time employees as fractions of a full-time position.
How is federal pay determined at CBO?
Federal civilian pay is set by the General Schedule (GS) pay system for most employees. Pay = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). CBO employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do CBO employees receive federal benefits?
Yes. CBO employees receive the full federal benefits package: FERS retirement (pension + Social Security + TSP with agency match), FEHB health insurance, FEGLI life insurance, Federal Dental and Vision (FEDVIP), and flexible spending accounts. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
What is the FERS retirement benefit for CBO employees?
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62+ with 20+ years). For example, a CBO employee with a $100,000 High-3 salary and 30 years of service would receive $30,000/year ($2,500/month) in FERS pension, plus Social Security and TSP savings. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Other Federal Agency Pay Pages
Salary benchmarks and employment data for every major federal agency.
Data Accuracy Notice: FTE figures are from the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget (Table 5-1, 2024 Actual), a U.S. government official publication. Salary figures come from OPM's Federal Workforce Data portal (April 2026). Agency-specific averages are shown only when the public EHRI records are representative; redaction-limited agencies use the government-wide benchmark. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.