Department of Education (ED) — Salaries & Pay 2026
ED employs 4,100 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024). A representative ED 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
ED Pay at a Glance
The Department of Education employed 4,100 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.
4.1K
Civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024)
$111K
Govt-wide salary benchmark (2026)
GS 1–15
General Schedule pay range
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
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ED Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2024) | 4,100 | 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 ED civilians on GS (15 grades × 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26×/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 44.15% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate × 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 ED
Major occupational categories employed at Department of Education. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- ✓Policy analysts & program officers
- ✓Financial analysts (student aid programs)
- ✓Attorneys & compliance specialists
- ✓Information technology specialists
- ✓Grants management & budget analysts
About Department of Education
One of the smallest Cabinet departments. Administers federal student aid ($150B+ per year), Title I grants, IDEA (special education), and civil rights enforcement. OPM redacts ~51% of Education salary records; representative average not available from public data.
Calculate Your Exact ED Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
ED Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Department of Education?↓
A representative agency-specific average salary for ED 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 ED have?↓
The Department of Education employed 4,100 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 ED?↓
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). ED employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to over 44% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do ED employees receive federal benefits?↓
Yes. ED 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 ED 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 ED 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.
Related Federal Employee Tools
GS Pay Calculator
Exact salary with all 58 localities & every grade/step
FERS Retirement Calculator
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High-3 Salary Calculator
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TSP Calculator
Project your Thrift Savings Plan balance at retirement
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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.